Decreased adenylate cyclase activation by helodermin and PGE1 in the lectin-resistant variant Wa4 of the mouse melanoma cell line B16

We examined the cultured mouse melanoma cell line B16 (clone F1) and its wheat germ agglutinin-resistant variant Wa4 that suffers from abnormal protein glycosylation (a high fucose:sialic acid ratio in glycoproteins). In both cell lines the adenylate cyclase system was endowed with a functional guanine nucleotide binding protein Gs and was efficiently coupled to alpha-MSH receptors. In the B16 cell line F1 studied we also observed an efficient stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by helodermin, VIP and the VIP analogue [acetyl-His1]VIP, and also by PGE1. In membranes from the lectin-resistant variant Wa4, the stimulations by VIP-like peptides and by PGE1 were reduced by 60% and 50%, respectively, while the stimulation by alpha-MSH remained normal. As other components of the adenylate cyclase system (Gs site, catalytical unit) appeared unchanged in the Wa4 variant, we conclude that impaired glycosylation essentially affected the number of both VIP-like peptide receptors and PGE1 receptors.

Determination of the association and dissociation rate constants of muscarinic antagonists on rat pancreas: rank order of potency varies with time

Antagonist binding to rat pancreatic muscarinic receptors was relatively slow at 25 degrees (tracer dissociation half-life, 50 to 60 min). We, therefore, chose this system to investigate the errors induced by nonequilibrium incubations on the estimates of receptor capacity and selectivity, in binding studies. We took advantage of the fact that muscarinic antagonists recognize only one receptor subtype in rat pancreatic homogenates and that association and dissociation kinetics conform to the law of mass action to analyze quantitatively the binding kinetics of [3H]N-methylscopolamine and of several unlabeled progressive to these receptors. We observed no correlation between the affinities of drugs for muscarinic receptors and their dissociation rate constants. As a result, the apparent receptor specificity (based on relative affinities for different antagonists) varied markedly with the incubation period. We, therefore, strongly recommend that in general competition curves established for receptor classification should be compared at different incubation periods to ensure that equilibrium is attained. The association rate constants of muscarinic antagonists for rat pancreas receptors were remarkably low, when compared with other ligand-receptor systems. This suggests that the antagonist-pancreatic muscarinic receptor association reaction included a rate-limiting conformational change of the drug-receptor complex. This isomerization step was not directly detectable in our kinetic studies, due to the very low affinity and rapid dissociation rate of the initial nonisomerized complex.

Binding and functional properties of antimuscarinics of the hexocyclium/sila-hexocyclium and hexahydro-diphenidol/hexahydro-sila-diphenidol type to muscarinic receptor subtypes

1. In an attempt to assess the structural requirements for the muscarinic receptor selectivity of hexahydro-diphenidol (hexahydro-difenidol) and hexahydro-sila-diphenidol (hexahydro-sila-difenidol), a series of structurally related C/Si pairs were investigated, along with atropine, pirenzepine and methoctramine, for their binding affinities in NB-OK 1 cells as well as in rat heart and pancreas. 2. The action of these antagonists at muscarinic receptors mediating negative inotropic responses in guinea-pig atria and ileal contractions has also been assessed. 3. Antagonist binding data indicated that NB-OK 1 cells (M1 type) as well as rat heart (cardiac type) and pancreas (glandular/smooth muscle type) possess different muscarinic receptor subtypes. 4. A highly significant correlation was found between the binding affinities of the antagonists to muscarinic receptors in rat heart and pancreas, respectively, and the affinities to muscarinic receptors in guinea-pig atria and ileum. This implies that the muscarinic binding sites in rat heart and the receptors in guinea-pig atria are essentially similar, but different from those in pancreas and ileum. 5. The antimuscarinic potency of hexahydro-diphenidol and hexahydro-sila-diphenidol at the three subtypes was influenced differently by structural modifications (e.g. quaternization). Different selectivity profiles for the antagonists were obtained, which makes these compounds useful tools to investigate further muscarinic receptor heterogeneity. Indeed, the tertiary analogues hexahydro-diphenidol (HHD) and hexahydro-sila-diphenidol (HHSiD) had an M1 = glandular/smooth muscle greater than cardiac selectivity profile, whereas the quaternary analogues HHD methiodide and HHSiD methiodide were M1 preferring (M1 greater than glandular/smooth muscle, cardiac).

Recovery of VIP/helodermin- and prostaglandin E1-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities in desensitized SUP-T1 human lymphoblasts

VIP/helodermin receptors and PGE1 receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase underwent rapid homologous desensitization and/or down regulation in the human lymphoma SUP-T1 cell line: helodermin- and PGE1-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities in membranes decreased by 75% and 80%, respectively, after a 16-hr incubation of cells with 30 nM VIP or 0.1 microM PGE1. The adenylate cyclase response to helodermin doubled within 120 min of incubation with fresh medium, this part of the resensitization process being not significantly reduced by cycloheximide. The second slower phase of recovery attained 80% of control values after 8 hr and was significantly affected by cycloheximide added at time 0. These data were corroborated by our observations on [125I]helodermin binding to intact cells. In the case of functional PGE1 receptors, sixty percent of the adenylate cyclase response reappeared within 30-60 min, with the second phase of recovery leading, after 2-3 hr to 80-85% of control values of PGE1-stimulated enzyme activity. This resensitization process to PGE1 was, as a whole, cycloheximide sensitive.

Properties of vasoactive-intestinal-peptide receptors and beta-adrenoceptors in the murine radiation leukemia-virus-induced lymphoma cell line BL/VL3

1. Based on radioligand binding and adenylate cyclase activation, functional receptors to vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)/helodermin, were shown to coexist with beta 2-adrenoceptors and prostaglandin receptors in membranes from a cultured cloned BL/VL3 cell line of murine T-cell lymphoma induced by a radiation leukemia virus. 2. The relative potency of VIP-related peptides to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity was: helodermin greater than VIP greater than peptide histidine isoleucinamide. Five VIP analogs inhibited 125I-iodo-VIP binding and stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, their decreasing order of potency being: VIP greater than [D-Asp3]VIP greater than [D-Ser2]VIP greater than [D-Ala4]VIP = [D-His1]VIP = [D-Phe2]VIP. [D-Phe2]VIP acted as a partial agonist (with an intrinsic activity of 0.1 as compared to that of VIP = 1.0) and competitively inhibited helodermin- and VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity with a similar Ki (0.07-0.10 microM). These data suggest the existence, in this murine T-cell lymphoma, of VIP receptors of the 'helodermin-preferring' subtype that are coupled to adenylate cyclase.

The phorbol ester TPA stimulates the expression of functional beta-adrenoceptors in human T lymphoblasts Molt 3

In crude membranes from human T lymphoblasts Molt 3 cultured under standard conditions, the adenylate cyclase system was stimulated by GTP, its beta gamma-imido analogue (p[NH]ppG,) NaF and forskolin, but not by isoprenaline, prostaglandin E1 and vasoactive intestinal peptide. TPA (tumour-promoting agent phorbol ester) added at low concentration (3.2 nM) to the culture medium induced a marked increase in functional beta 2-adrenoceptors. Competition curves of [125I]cyanopindolol with the antagonist ICI 118.551 and four beta-adrenergic agonists indicated that the emergence of functional beta 2-adrenoceptors corresponded to one class of binding sites, shifting from a high-affinity state for agonists to a low-affinity state in the presence of p[NH]ppG. This expression of beta 2-adrenoceptors after a 4 h lag period depended on newly formed mRNA and protein synthesis as judged by the inhibitory effects of actinomycin D and cycloheximide. Further effects of TPA included alterations of the stimulatory G-protein Gs and/or the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase.

Homologous and heterologous regulation of the helodermin/vasoactive-intestinal-peptide response in the murine radiation leukemia-virus-induced lymphoma cell line BL/VL3

1. Functional vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)/helodermin receptors and beta 2-adrenoceptors coexist in membranes from a cultured cloned BL/VL3 cell line of murine T-cell lymphoma induced by a radiation leukemia virus (see preceding paper in this journal). 2. Short-term (5-30 min) exposures of BL/VL3 cells to VIP or isoproterenol induced both homologous and heterologous desensitization. The potency of VIP and isoproterenol to desensitize was similar to their potency to occupy receptors and activate adenylate cyclase. 3. Long-term (16-h) exposure of BL/VL3 cells to VIP induced homologous down regulation only, whereas isoproterenol induced both homologous and heterologous down regulation. The potency of VIP, peptide histidine isoleucinamide, helodermin, helospectin, and [D-Phe2]VIP on the one hand, and of isoproterenol on the other hand, to decrease homologous responses was comparable to their potency for receptor occupancy and adenylate cyclase activation.

Isolation and primary structure of rat secretin

A major form of rat secretin was purified to homogeneity from small intestine, being detected with a porcine secretin radioimmunoassay throughout 7 chromatographic steps. The sequence of the heptacosapeptide amide H-S-D-G-T-F-T-S-E-L-S-R-L-Q-D-S-A-R-L-Q-R-L-L-Q-G-L-V-NH2 shows that rat secretin has a glutamine residue in position 14 instead of arginine as in pig secretin.

Synthesis of cholecystokinin-related peptides and their biological properties

Two tyrosine-O-sulfate containing cholecystokinin-related peptides were synthetized, i.e. the undeca- and the dodecapeptide amide corresponding to the C-terminus of this gut hormone; in the undecapeptide the N-terminal serine was O-substituted with the 2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactosyl group. Within the limits of error of the biological assay systems the two CCK peptides exhibited potencies in stimulating amylase secretion from dispersed rat pancreatic acini comparable to those of the CCK deca-, nona- and octapeptide.

VIP and related peptides induce rapid homologous desensitization in the human lymphoma SUP T1 cell line

Incubation of human SUP T1 lymphoblasts with VIP, helodermin and related peptides induced homologous desensitization within 5 min as indicated by: 1) a secondary decrease in cellular cyclic AMP levels, even in the presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, 2) a reduced capacity of cells to bind [125I]helodermin, 3) decreased helodermin stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in membranes, and 4) unaffected NaF- and Gpp[NH]p-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities. The desensitizing ability of all peptides correlated with their efficacy to occupy cell receptors, except for [D-Phe2]VIP, a partial VIP agonist with low intrinsic activity, that did not desensitize.

Molecular architecture of secretin receptors: the specific covalent labelling of a 51 kDa peptide after cross-linking of [125I]iodosecretin to intact rat pancreatic acini

p-Azidophenylglyoxal (APG), a heterobifunctional reagent with one group reacting selectively with arginine residues and another group photoactivable, was used to cross-link [125I]secretin prebound to intact rat pancreatic acini. The best yield was obtained when the [125I]secretin-acini complex was incubated under dim light with 2 mM APG at 37 degrees C and pH 8.0, followed by photolysis at 312 nm. The main secretin binding peptide cross-linked under reducing conditions, when tested by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography: (i) had a molecular mass of 51 kDa and was not a subunit of a larger disulfide-linked structure, and (ii) was distinct from the main VIP binding peptide coexisting in the same preparation.

Bretylium tosylate binds preferentially to muscarinic receptors labelled with [3H]oxotremorine M (SH or 'high affinity' receptors) in rat heart and brain cortex

Bretylium tosylate is an antiarrhythmic agent. In guinea pig atria it showed the properties of a competitive muscarinic (cholinergic) antagonist and could distinguish between two muscarinic receptor classes or states in cardiac membranes. We decided to further investigate its binding properties at muscarinic cholinergic receptors of the rat heart and brain (cortex), keeping in mind the recently discovered heterogeneity of muscarinic receptor protein. Bretylium tosylate recognized two receptor classes or states in the heart with Ki values of 0.9 and 11 microM. All cardiac membrane receptors showed a homogeneous (11 microM) Ki value for the drug in the presence of GTP in the incubation medium, or after in vivo pretreatment with islet activating protein (IAP). Bretylium tosylate was able (but only at a high concentration, 1 mM) to slow the dissociation kinetics of the tracer, which suggests that it also bound to an allosteric site on the muscarinic receptor, or that it affected the receptor environment. In the brain cortex, as in the heart, bretylium tosylate displayed a high affinity for receptors labelled with the agonist [3H]oxotremorine M (Ki value: 0.8 microM for the SH-or cardiac-type high-affinity receptors), and a 8- to 10-fold lower affinity for cortex M and L receptors. These data suggest that the antagonist bretylium tosylate had binding properties in rat cardiac membranes analogous to those of the partial agonist pilocarpine and that it interacted with a single type of receptor.

VIP-helodermin receptors in the murine virus-induced T lymphoma cell line BL/VL3 recover less rapidly than beta-adrenoceptors after down regulation

The time course of recovery of beta-adrenergic and VIP/helodermin receptors after homologous and heterologous down regulation was studied in the murine lymphoma cell line BL/VL3, a neoplastic equivalent of immature T cells. The heterologous part of isoproterenol down regulation was rapidly reversed, even in the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting that down regulation was linked to ligand-receptor interaction and/or cyclic AMP increase. Homologous down regulations of beta-adrenoceptors and VIP/helodermin receptors were less rapidly reversible and depended on protein synthesis as they were inhibited by cycloheximide: beta-adrenoceptors recovered faster than VIP/helodermin receptors.

Desensitization and recovery of prostaglandin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a murine virus-induced T lymphoma cell line BL/VL3

Prolonged (16 h) preexposure to prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) of cells from a murine virus-induced T lymphoma cell line BL/VL3 provoked, in their membranes, a dose-dependent reduction of PGE1-mediated adenylate cyclase stimulation. Smaller (but significant) decreases of helodermin- and isoproterenol-mediated stimulations were also observed. After a 16 h incubation of these cells with 1 microM PGE1, that reduced by 85%, the PGE1-mediated adenylate cyclase stimulation in membranes, 50% of the PGE1 response recovered after 2 h of PGE1 withdrawal from the incubation medium. Over the following 2-24 h time interval, further recovery was limited. Protein synthesis was required for this resensitization mechanism of functional PGE1 receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase, as judged by the inhibitory effects of cycloheximide.

CCK and gastrin inhibit adenylate cyclase activity through a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism in the tumoral rat pancreatic acinar cell line AR 4-2J

(Thr28,Nle31)CCK(23-33) (CCK-9) and gastrin(1-17)I (gastrin) inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in membranes from the tumoral rat pancreatic acinar cell line AR 4-2J through a Bordetella pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism. This contrasted with the stimulatory effect exerted by CCK-9 on adenylate cyclase activity in membranes from normal rat pancreas. The relative potency of CCK-9, gastrin, and related peptides in inhibiting adenylate cyclase, when confronted with previous evidence, suggests that 'non-selective CCK-gastrin CCK-B receptors' predominating over 'selective CCK-A receptors' in the AR 4-2J cell line, favored the coupling of the first receptors to adenylate cyclase through Gi, while CCK-A receptors capable of stimulating the enzyme through Gs were detected only after Bordetella pertussis toxin pretreatment.

Characterization of muscarinic receptors in human pancreatic membranes

Crude membranes (27,000 x g pellets) from three normal human pancreata were prepared. Muscarinic receptors were investigated by the ability of three antagonists (atropine, pirenzepine, and AF-DX 116) and three agonists (carbamylcholine, oxotremorine, and pilocarpine) to inhibit [3H]NMS binding. These receptors showed for pirenzepine and AF-DX 116 a M2 beta specificity, typical of secretory glands and smooth muscle, that was comparable to that of rat pancreatic membranes, i.e., a low affinity for the two antagonists (Ki of 0.4 and 0.2 microM, respectively). In addition, these receptors were predominantly in a low affinity state for the agonist carbamylcholine (Ki of 100 microM).

Identification by immunoblotting of somatostatin proforms in a rat pancreatic cell line

The immunoblotting technique is applied to the analysis of "somatostatin" compounds secreted by R.I.N. T3 cells. We can confirm that two proforms of 15,300 +/- 750 and 29,000 +/- 1,100 Da accumulate in the extracellular medium. The unexpected form of 29 kDa, probably a dimeric form, disappears in reducing conditions. However, the 15 kDa peptide is characterized by several antibodies directed against either the intramolecular cycle of somatostatin-14 or the N-terminal extension of somatostatin-28. The 15 kDa form presents the same electrophoretic mobility in SDS-PAGE than the prosomatostatin isolated from a hypothalamic extract. Furthermore, this compound corresponds to the calculated mass of 10,388 Da deduced from the cDNA sequence. The detection of an immunoreactive 6 kDa peptide in the gel filtration fractions suggests an intermediate step in the prosomatostatin processing in these cells.

Stereoselectivity of the enantiomers of trihexyphenidyl and its methiodide at muscarinic receptor subtypes

High stereoselectivity was observed for the enantiomers of trihexyphenidyl and trihexyphenidyl methiodide at muscarinic M1-receptors in field-stimulated rabbit vas deferens and at M2 alpha- and M2 beta-receptors in guinea-pig atrium and ileum, respectively. Considerably higher affinities (up to 1700-fold) were found for the (R)-(-)-enantiomers. The stereochemical demands made by the muscarinic receptor subtypes were most stringent at the M1-receptors. The (R)-(-)-enantiomers were found to be potent M1-selective antagonists (pA2 = 10.1/10.6). They showed a 91- and 45-fold selectivity for M1- over M2 alpha-receptors, respectively.

Secretin receptors in human pancreatic membranes

Crude membranes (27,000 g pellets) from five normal human pancreases were prepared. In the presence of GTP, the peptides of the secretin family stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, their order of potency being: secretin greater than helodermin greater than peptide histidine isoleucinamide (PHI) greater than or equal to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) greater than growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) (1-29)-NH2. In addition, helodermin and PHI were more efficient than secretin. Secretin (3-27) inhibited fully the secretin stimulation and partially only the helodermin and PHI stimulation of the enzyme. Secretin receptors were investigated by the ability of secretin and related peptides to inhibit tracer binding. [125I]Secretin binding was fully inhibited by secretin (Kd 0.8 nM), helodermin (Kd 200 nM), and PHI (Kd 250 nM). VIP and GRF(1-29)-NH2 induced partial (20%) inhibition at a high 10 microM concentration. The fragments secretin (2-27), (3-27), (4-27), and (7-27) showed the same low potency and efficacy based on their ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase and to occupy secretin receptors. The analogues [Val5]secretin and [Ala2]secretin had a higher potency than secretin. Based on this comparison of adenylate cyclase stimulation and [125I]secretin binding inhibition, it is tempting to conclude that the human pancreas: (a) possesses highly specific secretin receptors and (b) such receptors could not fully account for the whole pattern of adenylate cyclase activation by related peptides, so that the presence of an added type of "helodermin-PHI-preferring" receptors is suggested.

Molecular characteristics and evidence for internalization of vasoactive-intestinal-peptide (VIP) receptors in the tumoral rat-pancreatic acinar cell line AR 4-2 J

1. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors were investigated in the tumoral acinar cell line AR 4-2 J derived from rat pancreas [125I]Iodo-VIP binding to cell membranes showed the following IC50 values for unlabeled peptides: VIP, 0.3 nM; peptide His-IleNH2, 2 nM; helodermin, 30 nM; secretin, 100 nM. After incubation with 20 nM dexamethasone, the binding capacity increased twofold but affinities were unchanged. External [125I]iodo-VIP binding to intact cells reached steady state after 5 min at 37 degrees C, while the sequestration-internalization of the [125I]iodo-VIP-receptor complex (tested by cold acid washing) increased progressively, reaching 75% of total binding after 1 h. This phenomenon was blocked at 4 degrees C. Further data with dexamethasone, tunicamycin, cycloheximide, low temperature, and/or phenylarsine oxide, suggested a half-life of 2 days for VIP receptors and the necessity of N-glycosylation for proper translocation. 2. For chemical [125I]iodo-VIP cross-linking bis[2-(succinimidooxycarbonyloxy)ethyl]sulfone gave the best yield when compared with five other bifunctional reagents. In membranes, the main specifically cross-linked peptide had Mr 66,000 under nonreducing conditions, and migrated with lower velocity (-5%) under reducing conditions. Cross-linking was suppressed by VIP, peptide His-IleNH2 and helodermin (competitively) and also by GTP. In intact cells, the Mr of [125I]iodo-VIP-cross-linked peptides depended on the mode of cell solubilization. After direct solubilization, the major cross-linked radioactivity migrated as a smear of Mr 130,000-180,000 but an Mr-66,000 peptide was also detectable. In contrast, the solubilization of cross-linked cells detached by mild trypsinisation gave mainly the Mr-66,000 labeled peptide. This suggests that most VIP receptors in intact, attached cells were in a high-Mr complex and that mild cell treatment was sufficient to disrupt this complex.

Functional characterization of muscarinic receptors in rat parotid acini

The muscarinic agonist, carbamylcholine, stimulated amylase secretion in rat parotid acini 6-fold, the 86Rb efflux 5-fold, the 45Ca efflux 5-fold and the accumulation of inositol monophosphate, bisphosphate, trisphosphate and tetrakisphosphate 4-, 4-, 3- and 3-fold, respectively. The EC50 of carbamylcholine on these parameters were 0.4, 0.5, 1.3, 12, 12, 6 and 9 microM, suggesting spareness between phospholipase C activation and amylase secretion. These muscarinic responses were inhibited by four muscarinic antagonists with an order of potency on all parameters and on receptor occupancy (using N-[methyl-3H]scopolamine as a tracer): atropine greater than hexahydrosiladifenidol greater than pirenzepine greater than AF-DX 116. The pA2 of these antagonists on carbamylcholine-stimulated amylase secretion were 9.72 for atropine, 8.14 for hexahydrosiladifenidol, 7.16 for pirenzepine and 6.22 for AF-DX 116, indicating that the parotid muscarinic receptors were of an M2 subtype 83-fold more sensitive to hexahydrosiladifenidol than to AF-DX 116.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors in pancreas and liver. Structure-function relationship

In purified rat pancreatic plasma membranes, (D-Phe4)PHI interacts as a selective VIP agonist for rat pancreatic VIP-preferring receptors, based on binding selectivity and adenylate cyclase activation, therefore allowing us to discriminate between the participation of VIP-preferring and secretin-preferring receptors in VIP stimulation. VIP-preferring receptors also bind GRF. They rely on disulfide bridges for their functional integrity. Their coupling with adenylate cyclase, based on the intrinsic activity of VIP analogues, is poor when compared to that of hepatic VIP receptors. In fresh rat liver plasma membranes, high-affinity VIP receptors are specifically labeled with [125I]helodermin and [125I]His1, D-Ala NLeu27)GRF and are well coupled to adenylate cyclase while low-affinity VIP receptors are not. The first subtype of VIP receptors is highly responsive to guanyl nucleotides and is easily altered by dithiothreitol. Only after freezing and thawing are low-affinity hepatic VIP receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase. Concerning the chemical characterization of VIP receptors, 66- and 35-kDa peptides are detected after specific [125I]VIP cross-linking with double agents in rat pancreatic membranes. In contrast, in intact pancreatic acini, the main source of radioactivity has a molecular mass of 130-180 kDa (with no contribution of intramolecular disulfide bridges), and an 80-kDa peptide is also detectable. The 66-kDa species in membranes can conceivably derive from the 80-kDa species observed in intact cells. Its molecular mass is higher than that of the 56-kDa [125I]VIP cross-linked protein previously observed in rat liver membranes. Besides, species differences between rat and guinea pig pancreas are also evident.

Failure of Leiurus quinquestriatus venom to affect potassium movements in pancreatic islets

The venom from the Israeli scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus failed to affect 86Rb and 45Ca outflow from rat pancreatic islets perifused in the presence of tetrodotoxin and stimulated by the Ca2+-ionophore A23187 or the hypoglycaemic sulfonylurea tolbutamide. In non-stimulated islets, the venom components whose effects are insensitive to tetrodotoxin did not affect 45Ca and 86Rb outflow. Last, the venom did not alter 86Rb inflow. These findings suggest that 86Rb, 45Ca fluxes and more specifically the Ca2+-activated K+ permeability in the pancreatic B-cell are insensitive to the venom.