Bradykinin-related peptides in the venom of the solitary wasp Cyphononyx fulvognathus

Abstract Bradykinin (BK) and its related peptides are widely distributed in venomous animals, including wasps. In fact, we have previously purified a novel BK-related peptide (BRP) named Cd -146 and the threonine 6 -bradykinin (Thr 6 -BK) from the venom of the solitary wasp Cyphononyx fulvognathus . Further survey of this same wasp venom extract allowed the structural characterization of two other novel BRPs, named here as fulvonin and cyphokinin. Biochemical characterization performed here showed that although the high primary structure similarity observed with BK, these wasp peptides are not good substrates for angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) acting more likely as inhibitors of this enzyme. In pharmacological assays, only those more structurally similar to BK, namely cyphokinin and Thr 6 -BK, were able to promote the contraction of guinea-pig ileum smooth muscle preparations, which was completely blocked by the B 2 receptors antagonist HOE-140 in the same way as observed for BK. Only fulvonin was shown to potentiate BK-elicited smooth muscle contraction. Moreover, the 2 new wasp BRPs, namely fulvonin and cyphokinin, as well as Cd- 146 and Thr 6 -BK, showed hyperalgesic effect in the rat paw pressure test after intraplantar injection. This effect was shown here to be due to the action of these peptides on BK receptors, since the hyperalgesia induced by both Cd- 146 and fulvonin was blocked by B 1 receptor antagonist, while the effect of both cyphokinin and Thr 6 -BK was reversed by B 2 antagonist. This data give support to a better understanding of the function and targets of the kinin-related peptides widely found in several insect venoms.