An insight into neurotoxic and toxicity of spike fragments SARS-CoV-2 by exposure environment: A threat to aquatic health?

  1. Ives Charlie-Silva
  2. Amanda P. C. Araújo
  3. Abraão T. B. Guimarães
  4. Flávio P Veras
  5. Helyson L. B. Braz
  6. Letícia G. de Pontes
  7. Roberta J. B. Jorge
  8. Marco A. A. Belo
  9. Bianca H V. Fernandes
  10. Rafael H. Nóbrega
  11. Giovane Galdino
  12. Antônio Condino-Neto
  13. Jorge Galindo-Villegas
  14. Glaucia M. Machado-Santelli
  15. Paulo R. S. Sanches
  16. Rafael M. Rezende
  17. Eduardo M. Cilli
  18. Guilherme Malafaia

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Abstract

The Spike protein (S protein) is a critical component in the infection of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The objective of this work was to evaluate whether peptides from S protein could cause negative impact in the aquatic animals. The aquatic toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein peptides derivatives has been evaluated in tadpoles (n = 50 tadpoles / 5 replicates of 10 animals) from species Physalaemus cuvieri (Leptodactylidae). After synthesis, purification, and characterization of peptides (PSDP2001, PSDP2002, PSDP2003) an aquatic contamination has been simulatedwith these peptides during 24 hours of exposure in two concentrations (100 and 500 ng/mL). The control group (“C”) was composed of tadpoles kept in polyethylene containers containing de-chlorinated water. Oxidative stress, antioxidant biomarkers and neurotoxicity activity were assessed. In both concentrations, PSPD2002 and PSPD2003 increased catalase and superoxide dismutase antioxidants enzymes activities, as well as oxidative stress (nitrite levels, hydrogen peroxide and reactive oxygen species). All three peptides also increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the highest concentration. These peptides showed molecular interactions in silico with acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes. Aquatic particle contamination of SARS-CoV-2 has neurotoxics effects in P. cuvieri tadpoles. These findings indicate that the COVID-19 can constitute environmental impact or biological damage potential.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • SARS-CoV-2 spike protein peptides (PSDP) were synthesized, purified, and characterized by solid phase peptide synthesis.

  • PSDP peptides promoted REDOX imbalance and acute neurotoxicity in tadpoles (Physalaemus cuvieri)

  • In silico studies have shown interactionsbetween peptides and acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes

  • Aquatic particle contamination of SARS-CoV-2 can constitute additional environmental damage

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

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  1. ScreenIT

    SciScore for 10.1101/2021.01.11.425914: (What is this?)

    Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.

    Table 1: Rigor

    Institutional Review Board Statementnot detected.
    Randomizationnot detected.
    Blindingnot detected.
    Power Analysisnot detected.
    Sex as a biological variablenot detected.

    Table 2: Resources

    Software and Algorithms
    SentencesResources
    (protein BLAST) and the search was restricted to Physalaemus cuvieri (taxid:218685).
    BLAST
    suggested: (BLASTX, RRID:SCR_001653)
    (http://www.uniprot.org/) was used to obtain detailed information on the protein aligning with the selected peptides revealed. 2.3.
    http://www.uniprot.org/
    suggested: (Universal Protein Resource, RRID:SCR_002380)
    For molecular docking simulations, AutoDock tools (ADT) v4.2 (Morris et al., 2009) and AutoDock Vina 1.1.2 (Trott & Olson, 2010) were used.
    AutoDock
    suggested: (AutoDock, RRID:SCR_012746)
    Data analysis: GraphPad Prism Software Version 8.0 (San Diego, CA, USA) was used to perform the statistical analysis.
    GraphPad Prism
    suggested: (GraphPad Prism, RRID:SCR_002798)

    Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).

    Results from LimitationRecognizer: An explicit section about the limitations of the techniques employed in this study was not found. We encourage authors to address study limitations.

    Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.

    Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.

    Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.

    Results from rtransparent:
    • Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • No protocol registration statement was detected.

    About SciScore

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  2. Version published to 10.1101/2021.01.11.425914 on bioRxiv