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Franco-Vásquez AM, Lazcano-Pérez F, Mejía-Sánchez MA, Corzo G, Zamudio F, Carbajal-Saucedo A, Román-González SA, Gómez-Manzo S, Arreguín-Espinosa R. Structural, biochemical and immunochemical characterization of an acidic phospholipase A2 from Lachesis acrochorda (Viperidae: Crotalinae) venom. Toxicon 2024; 237:107528. [PMID: 38013057 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Viperids of the genus Lachesis, also known as bushmasters, are capable of injecting great amounts of venom that cause severe envenomation incidents. Since phospholipases type A2 are mainly involved in edema and myonecrosis within the snakebite sites, in this work, the isolation, amino acid sequence and biochemical characterization of the first phospholipase type A2 from the venom of Lachesis acrochorda, named Lacro_PLA2, is described. Lacro_PLA2 is an acidic aspartic 49 calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 with 93% similarity to the L. stenophrys phospholipase. Lacro_PLA2 has a molecular mass of 13,969.7 Da and an experimental isoelectric point around 5.3. A combination of N-terminal Edman degradation and MS/MS spectrometry analyses revealed that Lacro_PLA2 contains 122 residues including 14 cysteines that form 7 disulfide bridges. A predicted 3D model shows a high resemblance to other viperid phospholipases. Nevertheless, immunochemical and phospholipase neutralization tests revealed a notorious level of immunorecognition of the isolated protein by two polyclonal antibodies from viperids from different genus, which suggest that Lacro_PLA2 resembles more to bothropic phospholipases. Lacro_PLA2 also showed significantly high edema activity when was injected into mice; so, it could be an alternative antigen in the development of antibodies against toxins of this group of viperids, seeking to improve commercial polyclonal antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Marcelo Franco-Vásquez
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, 04510, Mexico
| | - Fernando Lazcano-Pérez
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, 04510, Mexico
| | - Miguel Angel Mejía-Sánchez
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62210, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62210, Mexico
| | - Fernando Zamudio
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62210, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Carbajal-Saucedo
- Laboratorio de Herpetología. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, C.P. 66455, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Sergio Agustín Román-González
- Unidad de Proteómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Periférico Sur 4809, Col. Arenal Tepepan, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, 14610, Mexico
| | - Saúl Gómez-Manzo
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Genética, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, 04530, Mexico
| | - Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, 04510, Mexico.
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Cesar PHS, Cardoso Trento MV, Sales TA, Marques TR, Braga MA, Ramalho TC, Marcussi S. Molecular interactions between p-coumaric acid and snake venom toxins. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:14594-14603. [PMID: 31016790 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A large number of natural compounds, such as phenolic compounds, have been scientifically evaluated in the search for enzyme inhibitors. The interactions between the phenolic compound p-coumaric acid and the enzymes present in snake venoms (used as research tools) were evaluated in vitro and in silico. The p-coumaric acid was able to inhibit 31% of the phospholipase activity induced by Bothrops alternatus venom, 27% of the hemolytic activity induced by B. moojeni, 62.5% of the thrombolytic activity induced by B. jararacussu, and approximately 27% of the activity thrombosis induced by Crotalus durissus terrificus. Previous incubation of p-coumaric acid with the venoms of B. atrox and B. jararacussu increased the coagulation time by 2.18 and 2.16-fold, respectively. The activity of serine proteases in B. atrox and B. jararacussu venoms was reduced by 60% and 66.34%, respectively. Computational chemistry analyses suggests the specific binding of p-coumaric acid to the active site of proteases through hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions. The phenolic compound evaluated in this work has great potential in therapeutic use to both prevent and treat hemostatic alterations, because the venom proteins inhibited by the p-coumaric acid have high homology with human proteins that have a fundamental role in several pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H S Cesar
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
| | | | - Thais A Sales
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Tamara R Marques
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Mariana A Braga
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Teodorico C Ramalho
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Silvana Marcussi
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
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Silva LC, Pucca MB, Pessenda G, Campos LB, Martinez EZ, Cerni FA, Barbosa JE. Discovery of human scFvs that cross-neutralize the toxic effects of B. jararacussu and C. d. terrificus venoms. Acta Trop 2018; 177:66-73. [PMID: 28887121 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Accidents involving venomous snakes are a public health problem worldwide, causing a large number of deaths per year. In Brazil, the majority of accidents are caused by the Bothrops and Crotalus genera, which are responsible for approximately 80% of severe envenoming cases. The cross-neutralization of snake venoms by antibodies is an important issue for development of more effective treatments. Our group has previously reported the construction of human monoclonal antibody fragments towards Bothrops jararacussu and Crotalus durissus terrificus' venoms. This study aimed to select human single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) that recognize both bothropic and crotalic crude venoms following venoms neutralizing capacity in vitro and in vivo. The cross-reactivity of Cro-Bothrumabs were demonstrated by ELISA and in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that a combination of scFvs neutralizes in vitro toxic activities (e.g. indirect hemolysis and plasma-clotting) of crotalic and bothropic venoms as well as prolonged survival time of envenomed animals. Our results may contribute to the development of the first human polyvalent antivenom against Bothrops jararacussu and Crotalus durissus terrificus venoms, overcoming some undesirable effects caused by conventional serotherapy.
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Functional Elucidation of Nemopilema nomurai and Cyanea nozakii Nematocyst Venoms' Lytic Activity Using Mass Spectrometry and Zymography. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9020047. [PMID: 28134758 PMCID: PMC5331427 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9020047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Medusozoans utilize explosively discharging penetrant nematocysts to inject venom into prey. These venoms are composed of highly complex proteins and peptides with extensive bioactivities, as observed in vitro. Diverse enzymatic toxins have been putatively identified in the venom of jellyfish, Nemopilema nomurai and Cyanea nozakii, through examination of their proteomes and transcriptomes. However, functional examination of putative enzymatic components identified in proteomic approaches to elucidate potential bioactivities is critically needed. Methods: In this study, enzymatic toxins were functionally identified using a combined approach consisting of in gel zymography and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The potential roles of metalloproteinases and lipases in hemolytic activity were explored using specific inhibitors. Results: Zymography indicated that nematocyst venom possessed protease-, lipase- and hyaluronidase-class activities. Further, proteomic approaches using LC-MS/MS indicated sequence homology of proteolytic bands observed in zymography to extant zinc metalloproteinase-disintegrins and astacin metalloproteinases. Moreover, pre-incubation of the metalloproteinase inhibitor batimastat with N. nomurai nematocyst venom resulted in an approximate 62% reduction of hemolysis compared to venom exposed sheep erythrocytes, suggesting that metalloproteinases contribute to hemolytic activity. Additionally, species within the molecular mass range of 14–18 kDa exhibited both egg yolk and erythrocyte lytic activities in gel overlay assays. Conclusion: For the first time, our findings demonstrate the contribution of jellyfish venom metalloproteinase and suggest the involvement of lipase species to hemolytic activity. Investigations of this relationship will facilitate a better understanding of the constituents and toxicity of jellyfish venom.
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Hernández-Matehuala R, Rojas-Molina A, Vuelvas-Solórzano AA, Garcia-Arredondo A, Alvarado CI, Olguín-López N, Aguilar M. Cytolytic and systemic toxic effects induced by the aqueous extract of the fire coral Millepora alcicornis collected in the Mexican Caribbean and detection of two types of cytolisins. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2015; 21:36. [PMID: 26413086 PMCID: PMC4583735 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-015-0035-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Millepora alcicornis is a branching hydrocoral common throughout the Caribbean Sea. Like other members of this genus, this species is capable of inducing skin eruptions and blisters with severe pain after contact. In the present study, we investigated the toxicity of the M. alcicornis aqueous extract on several animal models. Considering that some cnidarian hemolysins have been associated to local tissue damage, since they also induce lysis of other cell types, we also made a partial characterization of the hemolytic activity of M. alcicornis aqueous extract. This information is important for understanding the defense mechanisms of the "fire corals". METHODS The effects of pH, temperature, and some divalent cations on the hemolytic activity of the extract were assayed, followed by a zymogram analysis to detect the cytolysins and determine their approximate molecular weight. The toxicity of the aqueous extract was assayed in mice, by intravenous administration, and histopathological changes on several tissues were analyzed by light microscopy. The toxicity of the extract was also tested in Artemia salina nauplii, and the damages caused on the crustaceans were analyzed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS The hemolytic activity of the hydrocoral extract was enhanced in the presence of Ca(2+) (≥2 mM), Mg(2+) (≥6 mM), and Ba(2+) (≥0.1 mM); however, it was reduced in the presence of Cu(2+) (≥0.1 mM), Zn(2+) (≥6 mM), and EDTA (≥0.34 mM). Differences in the pH did not affect the hemolytic activity, but it was temperature-sensitive, since preincubation at ≥ 50 °C sharply reduced hemolysis. The zymogram showed the presence of two types of hemolysins: ~ 28-30 kDa proteins with phospholipase A2 activity and ~ 200 kDa proteins that do not elicit enzymatic activity. The aqueous extract of this cnidarian was lethal to mice (LD50 = 17 μg protein/g), and induced kidney, liver, and lung damages. Under denaturing conditions, the aqueous extract completely lost its toxic and hemolytic activities. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that the M. alcicornis aqueous extract contains two types of thermolabile hemolysins: proteins of approximately 28-30 kDa with PLA2 activity, while the others are larger proteins of approximately 200 kDa, which do not possess PLA2 activity. Those thermolabile cytolysins, which are stable to pH changes and whose activity is calcium dependent, are capable of inducing damage in lung, kidney and liver tissues, resulting in a slow death of mice. M. alcicornis cytolysins also provoke tissue dissociation in Artemia salina nauplii that might be attributed to pore forming mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalina Hernández-Matehuala
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico ; Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Alejandra Rojas-Molina
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Alma Angelica Vuelvas-Solórzano
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico ; Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Alejandro Garcia-Arredondo
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Cesar Ibarra Alvarado
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Norma Olguín-López
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Manuel Aguilar
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, 76201 Mexico
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Calderon LA, Sobrinho JC, Zaqueo KD, de Moura AA, Grabner AN, Mazzi MV, Marcussi S, Nomizo A, Fernandes CFC, Zuliani JP, Carvalho BMA, da Silva SL, Stábeli RG, Soares AM. Antitumoral activity of snake venom proteins: new trends in cancer therapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:203639. [PMID: 24683541 PMCID: PMC3943284 DOI: 10.1155/2014/203639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Revised: 12/07/2013] [Accepted: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For more than half a century, cytotoxic agents have been investigated as a possible treatment for cancer. Research on animal venoms has revealed their high toxicity on tissues and cell cultures, both normal and tumoral. Snake venoms show the highest cytotoxic potential, since ophidian accidents cause a large amount of tissue damage, suggesting a promising utilization of these venoms or their components as antitumoral agents. Over the last few years, we have studied the effects of snake venoms and their isolated enzymes on tumor cell cultures. Some in vivo assays showed antineoplastic activity against induced tumors in mice. In human beings, both the crude venom and isolated enzymes revealed antitumor activities in preliminary assays, with measurable clinical responses in the advanced treatment phase. These enzymes include metalloproteases (MP), disintegrins, L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs), C-type lectins, and phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). Their mechanisms of action include direct toxic action (PLA2s), free radical generation (LAAOs), apoptosis induction (PLA2s, MP, and LAAOs), and antiangiogenesis (disintegrins and lectins). Higher cytotoxic and cytostatic activities upon tumor cells than normal cells suggest the possibility for clinical applications. Further studies should be conducted to ensure the efficacy and safety of different snake venom compounds for cancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo A. Calderon
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Juliana C. Sobrinho
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Kayena D. Zaqueo
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Andrea A. de Moura
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Amy N. Grabner
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Maurício V. Mazzi
- Fundação Hermínio Ometto, UNIARARAS, Núcleo de Ciências da Saúde-NUCISA, 13607-339 Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvana Marcussi
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Lavras, UFLA, 37200-000 Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Auro Nomizo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carla F. C. Fernandes
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Juliana P. Zuliani
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Bruna M. A. Carvalho
- Departamento de Química, Biotecnologia e Engenharia de Bioprocessos, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, UFSJ, Campus Alto paraopeba, Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil
| | - Saulo L. da Silva
- Departamento de Química, Biotecnologia e Engenharia de Bioprocessos, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, UFSJ, Campus Alto paraopeba, Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo G. Stábeli
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Andreimar M. Soares
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
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In vitro comparison of enzymatic effects among Brazilian Bothrops spp. venoms. Toxicon 2013; 76:1-10. [PMID: 23998940 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.08.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In various types of snake venom, the major toxic components are proteinases and members of the phospholipase A2 family, although other enzymes also contribute to the toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the proteolytic, phospholipase, and L-Amino acid oxidase activities in the venom of five Bothrops species-Bothrops jararaca, Bothrops jararacussu, Bothrops moojeni, Bothrops neuwiedi, and Bothrops alternatus-all of which are used in the production of commercial antivenom, prepared in horses. The enzymatic activities of each species' venom were classified as high, moderate, or low. B. moojeni venom demonstrated the highest enzymatic activity profile, followed by the venom of B. neuwiedi, B. jararacussu, B. jararaca, and B. alternatus. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare all of these enzymes from multiple species, which is significant in view of the activity of L-amino acid oxidase across Bothrops species.
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Madrigal M, Sanz L, Flores-Díaz M, Sasa M, Núñez V, Alape-Girón A, Calvete JJ. Snake venomics across genus Lachesis. Ontogenetic changes in the venom composition of Lachesis stenophrys and comparative proteomics of the venoms of adult Lachesis melanocephala and Lachesis acrochorda. J Proteomics 2012; 77:280-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2012.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Revised: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Fox JW. A brief review of the scientific history of several lesser-known snake venom proteins: l-amino acid oxidases, hyaluronidases and phosphodiesterases. Toxicon 2012; 62:75-82. [PMID: 23010165 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
When considering the proteins and toxins in snake venom one's thoughts generally migrate to the proteinases, neurotoxins and phospholipases since these families of proteins are comprised by many of the toxins found in venom. However as modern proteomic and transcriptomic venom research has abundantly shown snake venoms are complex and containing numerous families of protein beyond the "big three". In this brief review we will discuss three of the lesser discussed proteins typically found in snake venoms: l-amino acid oxidases (LAAO); hyaluronidases and phosphodiesterases. These proteins have long been known to be part of many venoms' proteomes with reports appearing in the literature as early as 1944 for LAAO, 1947 for hyaluronidase (spreading factor), and 1932 for venom phosphodiesterase. These are more or less contemporary with the first reports (circa 1950) on snake venom proteases. Thus, the relatively modest literature on these snake venom proteins stems not from lack of early discovery but rather more likely to their ostensibly minor role in snake venom pathophysiology. In this review we will provide an overview of the experimental history of these venom proteins, their biochemical and structural features and their role in snake venom toxinology with the aim of bringing a fuller, more comprehensive, understanding of the history of laboratory research on snake venoms. In addition, there are some comments on these proteins from investigators who were actively engaged in their investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay W Fox
- University of Virginia, School of Medicine, PO Box 800734, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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