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Dehghani R, Monzavi SM, Mehrpour O, Shirazi FM, Hassanian-Moghaddam H, Keyler DE, Wüster W, Westerström A, Warrell DA. Medically important snakes and snakebite envenoming in Iran. Toxicon 2023; 230:107149. [PMID: 37187227 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Snakebite is a common health condition in Iran with a diverse snake fauna, especially in tropical southern and mountainous western areas of the country with plethora of snake species. The list of medically important snakes, circumstances and effects of their bite, and necessary medical care require critical appraisal and should be updated regularly. This study aims to review and map the distributions of medically important snake species of Iran, re-evaluate their taxonomy, review their venomics, describe the clinical effects of envenoming, and discuss medical management and treatment, including the use of antivenom. Nearly 350 published articles and 26 textbooks with information on venomous and mildly venomous snake species and snakebites of Iran, were reviewed, many in Persian (Farsi) language, making them relatively inaccessible to an international readership. This has resulted in a revised updated list of Iran's medically important snake species, with taxonomic revisions of some, compilation of their morphological features, remapping of their geographical distributions, and description of species-specific clinical effects of envenoming. Moreover, the antivenom manufactured in Iran is discussed, together with treatment protocols that have been developed for the hospital management of envenomed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruhollah Dehghani
- Department of Environmental Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Seyed Mostafa Monzavi
- Medical Toxicology Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Mehrpour
- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran; Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, USA.
| | - Farshad M Shirazi
- Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Hossein Hassanian-Moghaddam
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Clinical Toxicology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Daniel E Keyler
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Wolfgang Wüster
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | | | - David A Warrell
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Proteomic insight into the venom composition of the largest European rear-fanged snake, Malpolon monspessulanus monspessulanus. Toxicon X 2022; 15:100130. [PMID: 35721600 PMCID: PMC9201006 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake envenomations constitute a worldwide neglected tropical disease, with the vast majority of lethal bites inflicted by front-fanged snakes from the viperid and elapid groups. Rear-fanged snakes (colubrids) were often considered harmless and as a result, are much less studied, but several documented deaths have suggested potent venom in this group as well. The largest European snake (Malpolon monspessulanus monspessulanus), known as the “Montpellier snake”, is such a rear-fanged snake that belongs to the Lamprophiidae family. Its venom remains largely unknown but cases of envenomation with neurological symptoms have been reported. Here, we provide the first insights into the composition of its venom using mass spectrometry methods. First, liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry analysis of the manually collected venom samples reveals a complex profile, with the majority of masses encompassing the range 500–3000 Da, 4000–8000 Da, and 10 000–30 000 Da. Next, shotgun proteomics allowed the identification of a total of 42 different known families of proteins, including snake venom metalloproteinases, peptidase M1, and cysteine-rich secretory proteins, as the most prominent. Interestingly, three-finger toxins were not detected, suggesting that neurotoxicity may occur via other, yet to be determined, toxin types. Overall, our results provide the basis for a better understanding of the effects of a peculiar snake venom on human symptomatology, but also on the main prey consumed by this species. We investigate the venom composition of the largest European venomous snake. LC-MS analysis of the crude manually collected venom revealed a complex profile. Shotgun proteomic analysis identified 42 different protein families. Major components include SVMPs, consistent with the clinical features.
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Bastida J, Crampet A, Meneghel M, Morais V. Preliminary Biochemical and Venomic Characterization of the Venom of Phalotris lemniscatus (Serpentes, Colubridae). Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1981-1989. [PMID: 31376821 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190802143252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For many decades, research on snake venom toxinology focused mainly on the venoms of Viperidae and Elapidae species, which were traditionally the only ones considered as venomous. However, much less interest has been given to the venom produced by opisthoglyphous colubrid snakes, since they were typically considered of no clinical relevance. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work is to perform a preliminary biochemical and venomic characterization of the venom of the colubrid snake Phalotris lemniscatus, a species that has been responsible for two relevant cases of envenomation in Uruguay. METHODS We extracted venom from collected specimens and performed different biochemical and proteomic assays to understand its toxin composition. RESULTS We found that the venom of P. lemniscatus is composed of protein families typically present in snake venoms, such as metallo and serine preoteases, L-amino acid oxidases, phospholipases A2s, Ctype lectines-like, Kunitz-type proteins and three-finger toxins. Activity assays demonstrated a highly active gelatinolytic component as well as a potent capability to induce blood coagulation. CONCLUSION The results indicate that the venom of P. lemniscatus contains hemotoxic activities and components that resemble those found in Viperidae (Bothrops) snakes and that can induce a clinically relevant accident. Further studies are needed to better understand the venom composition of this colubrid snake and its most active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeny Bastida
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnologico, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Bioterio de Animales Ponzonosos - Serpentario, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandro Crampet
- Bioterio de Animales Ponzonosos - Serpentario, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Patología, Instituto de Patobiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Melitta Meneghel
- Bioterio de Animales Ponzonosos - Serpentario, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Laboratorio de Sistemática e Historia Natural de Vertebrados, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victor Morais
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnologico, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Mendes GF, Stuginski DR, Loibel SMC, de Morais-Zani K, da Rocha MMT, Fernandes W, Sant’Anna SS, Grego KF. Factors that can influence the survival rates of coral snakes (Micrurus corallinus) for antivenom production. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:972-980. [PMID: 30541079 PMCID: PMC6358253 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Envenoming and deaths resulting from snakebites are a particularly important public health problem in rural tropical areas of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and New Guinea. In 2015, The Lancet highlighted snake-bite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease and urged the world to increase antivenom production. In Brazil, around 20,000 snakebites occur per year affecting mostly agricultural workers and children, of which 1% is caused by coral snakes (Micrurus sp.). Although human envenoming by coral snakes is relatively rare due to their semifossorial habits and nonaggressive behavior, they are always considered severe due to the neurotoxic, myotoxic, hemorrhagic, and cardiovascular actions of their venom, which is highly toxic when compared to the venom of other Brazilian venomous snakes as Bothrops sp. (pit vipers), Crotalus sp. (rattlesnakes), and Lachesis sp. (bushmasters). The production of antivenom serum is an important public health issue worldwide and the maintenance of venomous snakes in captivity essential to obtain high-quality venom. Though more than 30 species of Brazilian coral snakes exist, the specific antivenom serum produced with the venom of two species, Micrurus corallinus and M. frontalis, is able to neutralize the accidents caused by the genus in general. M. corallinus is considered a difficult species to maintain in captivity and concerned about this difficulty the Laboratory of Herpetology (LH) at Instituto Butantan, over the last 10 yr, has given special attention to its maintenance in captivity. In more than 20 yr of maintenance, LH has made some changes to improve Micrurus captive husbandry and welfare. The objective of this study was to verify the factors influencing the survival rates of coral snakes in captivity through data generated from 289 M. corallinus from the LH snake facility in the last 10 yr. We observed that survival rates increased significantly with the improvement of nutritional adequacy that included freezing food items before offering them to coral snakes, as well as the development of a new pasty diet to force-feed anorexic animals. Another important factor responsible for increasing life expectancy was the shift of the cage's substrate from Sphagnum to bark in 2010, aiding in the eradication of Blister Disease, which used to be responsible for the death of several coral snakes in previous years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme F Mendes
- Laboratório de Herpetologia do Instituto Butantan, CEP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel R Stuginski
- Laboratório de Herpetologia do Instituto Butantan, CEP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Selene M C Loibel
- UNESP – Universidade Estadual Paulista, DEMAC/IGCE, Campus Rio Claro, CEP, Caixa Postal, Rio Claro/SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Wilson Fernandes
- Laboratório de Herpetologia do Instituto Butantan, CEP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sávio S Sant’Anna
- Laboratório de Herpetologia do Instituto Butantan, CEP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kathleen F Grego
- Laboratório de Herpetologia do Instituto Butantan, CEP, São Paulo, Brazil
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Does the administration of pilocarpine prior to venom milking influence the composition of Micrurus corallinus venom? J Proteomics 2018; 174:17-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Torres-Bonilla KA, Schezaro-Ramos R, Floriano RS, Rodrigues-Simioni L, Bernal-Bautista MH, Alice da Cruz-Höfling M. Biological activities of Leptodeira annulata (banded cat-eyed snake) venom on vertebrate neuromuscular preparations. Toxicon 2016; 119:345-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Saviola AJ, Peichoto ME, Mackessy SP. Rear-fanged snake venoms: an untapped source of novel compounds and potential drug leads. TOXIN REV 2014. [DOI: 10.3109/15569543.2014.942040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Weinstein SA, White J, Keyler DE, Warrell DA. Non-front-fanged colubroid snakes: a current evidence-based analysis of medical significance. Toxicon 2013; 69:103-13. [PMID: 23462380 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Revised: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Non-front-fanged colubroid snakes (NFFC; formerly and artificially taxonomically assembled as "colubrids") comprise about 70% of extant snake species and include several taxa now known to cause lethal or life threatening envenoming in humans. Although the medical risks of bites by only a handful of species have been documented, a growing number of NFFC are implicated in medically significant bites. The majority of these snakes have oral products (Duvernoy's secretions, or venoms) with unknown biomedical properties and their potential for causing harm in humans is unknown. Increasingly, multiple NFFC species are entering the commercial snake trade posing an uncertain risk. Published case reports describing NFFC bites were assessed for evidence-based value, clinical detail and verified species identification. These data were subjected to meta-analysis and a hazard index was generated for select taxa. Cases on which we consulted or personally treated were included and subjected to the same assessment criteria. Cases involving approximately 120 species met the selection criteria, and a small subset designated Hazard Level 1 (most hazardous), contained 5 species with lethal potential. Recommended management of these cases included antivenom for 3 species, Dispholidus typus, Rhabdophis tiginis, Rhabdophis subminiatus, whereas others in this subset without commercially available antivenoms (Thelotornis spp.) were treated with plasma/erythrocyte replacement therapy and supportive care. Heparin, antifibrinolytics and/or plasmapheresis/exchange transfusion have been used in the management of some Hazard Level 1 envenomings, but evidence-based analysis positively contraindicates the use of any of these interventions. Hazard Level 2/3 species were involved in cases containing mixed quality data that implicated these taxa (e.g. Boiga irregularis, Philodryas olfersii, Malpolon monspessulanus) with bites that caused rare systemic effects. Recommended management may include use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. neostigmine) and wound care on a case-by-case basis. Hazard level 3 species comprised a larger group capable of producing significant local effects only, often associated with a protracted bite (eg Heterodon nasicus, Borikenophis (Alsophis) portoricensis, Platyceps (Coluber) rhodorachis). Management is restricted to wound care. Bites by Hazard level 4 species comprised the majority of surveyed taxa and these showed only minor effects of no clinical importance. This study has produced a comprehensive evidence-based listing of NFFC snakes tabulated against medical significance of bites, together with best-practice management recommendations. This analysis assumes increasing importance, as there is growing exposure to lesser-known NFFC snakes, particularly in captive collections that may uncover further species of significance in the future. Careful and accurate documentation of bites by verified species of NFFC snakes is required to increase the evidence base and establish the best medical management approach for each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Weinstein
- Department of Toxinology, Women's and Children's Hospital, 72 King William St., North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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Zelanis A, Teixeira da Rocha MM, de Fátima Domingues Furtado M. Preliminary biochemical characterization of the venoms of five Colubridae species from Brazil. Toxicon 2010; 55:666-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2009] [Revised: 09/19/2009] [Accepted: 09/22/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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UNDERWOOD GARTH, KOCHVA ELAZAR. On the affinities of the burrowing asps Atractaspis (Serpentes: Atractaspididae). Zool J Linn Soc 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1993.tb01252.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Rocha MMTD, Furtado MDFD. Análise das atividades biológicas dos venenos de Philodryas olfersii (Lichtenstein) e P. patagoniensis (Girard) (Serpentes, Colubridae). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1590/s0101-81752007000200019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Philodryas olfersii (Lichtenstein, 1823) e P.patagonienis (Girard, 1857) são serpentes colubrídeas da série opistóglifa, restritas à América do Sul. Vários acidentes ocasionados por estas serpentes têm sido relatados, caracterizando-se por ação local importante: dor, edema e hemorragia. É um acidente muito semelhante àquele causado por serpentes do gênero Bothrops Wagler, 1824 e muitas vezes os pacientes são tratados com soro antibotrópico. Poucos estudos tratam da caracterização destes venenos, assim tivemos como objetivo de trabalho o estudo dos venenos de P.olfersii e P.patagonienis. Os venenos apresentaram teor de proteínas entre 75 e 90%. A atividade desfibrinante não foi detectada quando testada em camundongos. O quadro de dor causado pelo envenenamento experimental, em camundongos, mostrou que os venenos de P.olfersii e P.patagoniensis causaram intensa reatividade, sendo que o veneno de P.patagoniensis foi o mais ativo. Ambos os venenos apresentaram dose mínima edematogênica em torno de 1 µg/camundongo com ação máxima em 30 minutos.A ação hemorrágica se instalou rapidamente, com doses mínimas semelhantes. As atividades tóxicas foram semelhantes, com valores em torno de 60,0 µg/camundongo, comparáveis aos venenos botrópicos.
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Rocha MMT, Paixão-Cavalcante D, Tambourgi DV, Furtado MDFD. Duvernoy's gland secretion of Philodryas olfersii and Philodryas patagoniensis (Colubridae): Neutralization of local and systemic effects by commercial bothropic antivenom (Bothrops genus). Toxicon 2006; 47:95-103. [PMID: 16360723 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2005.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2005] [Revised: 10/05/2005] [Accepted: 10/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Colubrids involved in human envenomation in Brazil are mainly from the genera Helicops, Oxyrhopus, Thamnodynastes and Philodryas. There is a relatively large number of clinical descriptions involving the Xenodontinae snakes, Philodryas olfersii and Philodryas patagoniensis, in human accidents. The most common manifestations of envenomation are local pain, swelling, erythema and ecchymosis and regional lymphadenopathy with normal coagulation. The aims of this study were to characterize the biochemical and biological properties of P. olfersii and P. patagoniensis venoms, and to investigate their immunological cross-reactivities by using both specific antisera and anti-Bothrops sp serum used for human serum therapy in Brazil, in neutralizing the lethal and hemorrhagic effects of these venoms. We show here that P. olfersii e P. patagoniensis venoms present proteolytic and haemorrhagic activities but are devoid of phospholipase A2 activity. Haemorrhage and lethality induced by P. olfersii and P. patagoniensis are associated with metal-dependent proteinases, since EDTA could block these toxic activities. P. olfersii and P. patagoniensis venoms were immunogenic and the antisera produced were able to recognize several bands in P. olfersii, P. patagoniensis venoms in Bothrops jararaca venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa M Teixeira Rocha
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Prof. Vital Brazil, 1500, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Komori K, Konishi M, Maruta Y, Toriba M, Sakai A, Matsuda A, Hori T, Nakatani M, Minamino N, Akizawa T. CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL METALLOPROTEINASE IN DUVERNOY'S GLAND OF RHABDOPHIS TIGRINUS TIGRINUS. J Toxicol Sci 2006; 31:157-68. [PMID: 16772705 DOI: 10.2131/jts.31.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
During the characterization of hemorrhagic factor in venom of Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus, so-called Yamakagashi in Japan, one of the Colubridae family, a novel metalloproteinase with molecular weight of 38 kDa in the Duvernoy's gland of Yamakagashi was identified by gelatin zymography and by monitoring its proteolytic activity using a fluorescence peptide substrate, MOCAc-PLGLA2pr(Dnp)AR-NH2, which was developed for measuring the well-known matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. After purification by gel filtration HPLC and/or column switch HPLC system consisting of an affinity column, which was immobilized with a synthetic BS-10 peptide (MQKPRCGVPD) originating from propeptide domain of MMP-7 and a reversed-phase column, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 38 kDa metalloproteinase was identified as FNTFPGDLK which shared a high homology to Xenopus MMP-9. The 38 kDa metalloproteinase required Zn2+ and Ca2+ ions for its proteolytic activity. In addition, the proteolytic activity was almost completely inhibited by BS-10, a MMP inhibitor, but not by the serine proteinase inhibitors, cysteine proteinase inhibitors and aspartic proteinase inhibitors. Together these results demonstrated that the 38 kDa proteinase is a novel snake verom metalloproteinase (SVMP) containing HExGHxxGxxH motif which possesses high affinity to the BS-10 peptide, into its molecule, and the enzymatic properties are closed to that of MMPs. Based on the results obtained in the present study, we concluded that the 38 kDa metalloproteinase is a novel metalloproteinase whose activity may be regulated by the cysteine switch mechanism, and could be classified as one of the matrix metalloproteinases rather than snake venom metalloproteinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Komori
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotogecho, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
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Lumsden NG, Ventura S, Dauer R, Hodgson WC. A biochemical and pharmacological examination of Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus (Rufous beaked snake) venom. Toxicon 2005; 45:219-31. [PMID: 15626371 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2004.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2004] [Accepted: 10/13/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The venom of R. oxyrhynchus, a member of the psammophiine subfamily of the colubrid assemblage, was examined for biological activity using biochemical and pharmacological techniques. Venom displayed a high protein content, a complex electrophorectic profile and PLA2 activity but no detectable proteolytic or haematological activities. In the chick biventer cervicis nerve muscle preparation, venom (1-10 microg/ml) displayed postsynaptic neurotoxic activity as evidenced by inhibition of indirect (0.1 Hz, 0.2 ms, supramaximal V) twitches and responses to exogenous acetylcholine (1 mM) and carbachol (20 microM). This inhibitory effect was poorly reversible by washing. Venom (30-50 microg/ml) caused a rapid and readily reversible inhibition of direct (0.1 Hz, 2 ms, supramaximal V) twitches of the chick biventer cervicis nerve muscle preparation without morphological changes to the muscle fibers. Venom (30-100 microg/ml) inhibited electrically-evoked (0.2 Hz, 0.3 ms, 70-100 V) twitches of the prostatic segment of the rat vas deferens. This inhibitory effect was not significantly attenuated by 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT; 20 microM), idazoxan (1 microM), a combination of ranitidine (0.2 microM) and thioperamide (10 microM) or capsazepine (10 microM). Venom (5 mg/kg) induced hypotension with subsequent cardiovascular collapse in the anaesthetised rat. The cardiovascular collapse was prevented by artificial respiration of the animals prior to venom administration. The biological activities demonstrated by R. oxyrhynchus venom may aid in prey envenomation strategies such as prey immobilisation. This study provides further evidence that colubrid venoms are comprised of multiple components which can display a variety of actions, some of which may be novel, therefore reinforcing the largely untapped potential of colubrid venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie G Lumsden
- Monash Venom Group, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3800, Australia
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Hill RE, Mackessy SP. Characterization of venom (Duvernoy's secretion) from twelve species of colubrid snakes and partial sequence of four venom proteins. Toxicon 2000; 38:1663-87. [PMID: 10858509 DOI: 10.1016/s0041-0101(00)00091-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
R.E. Hill and S.P. Mackessy. Characterization of venom (Duvernoy's secretion) from twelve species of colubrid snakes and partial sequence of four venom proteins. Toxicon XX, xx-yy, 2000. - Venomous colubrids, which include more than 700 snake species worldwide, represent a vast potential source of novel biological compounds. The present study characterized venom (Duvernoy's gland secretion) collected from twelve species of opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) colubrid snakes, an extremely diverse assemblage of non-venomous to highly venomous snakes. Most venoms displayed proteolytic activity (casein), though activity levels varied considerably. Low phosphodiesterase activity was detected in several venoms (Amphiesma stolata, Diadophis punctatus, Heterodon nasicus kennerlyi, H. n. nasicus and Thamnophis elegans vagrans), and acetylcholinesterase was found in Boiga irregularis saliva and venom, but no venoms displayed hyaluronidase, thrombin-like or kallikrein-like activities. High phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activity was found in Trimorphodon biscutatus lambda venom, and moderate levels were detected in Boiga dendrophila and D. p. regalis venoms as well as B. dendrophila and H. n. nasicus salivas. Non-reducing SDS-PAGE revealed 7-20 protein bands (3.5 to over 200 kD, depending on species) for all venoms analyzed, and electrophoretic profiles of venoms were typically quite distinct from saliva profiles. Components from A. stolata, Hydrodynastes gigas, Tantilla nigriceps and T. e. vagrans venoms showed protease activity when run on gelatin zymogram gels. N-terminal protein sequences for three 26 kD venom components of three species (H. gigas, H. torquata, T. biscutatus) and one 3.5 kD component (T. nigriceps) were also obtained, and the 3.5 kD peptide showed apparent sequence homology with human vascular endothelial growth factor; these data represent the first sequences of colubrid venom components. Protease, phosphodiesterase and PLA(2) activities are also common to elapid and viperid snake venoms, but it is apparent that numerous other (as yet undescribed) components make up the majority of colubrid venom proteins. The complex nature of venoms produced by most species surveyed, and the high levels of protease or phospholipase A(2) activity of some venoms, suggest that many colubrids could become an important source of human health concern as encounters with these snakes increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences, 501 20th St., University of Northern Colorado, Greeley 80639-0017, USA
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Fontana MD, Heleno MG, Brazil OV. Mode of action of Duvernoy's gland extracts from the colubrid Dryadophis bifossatus in the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. Toxicon 1996; 34:1187-90. [PMID: 8931259 DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(96)00066-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Extracts and secretion of the Duvernoy's gland are venomous, inducing in several cases motor paralysis in experimental animals. The extracts of the Duvernoy's gland from the aglyphous colubrid Dryadophis bifossatus are very toxic, eliciting flaccid paralysis in pigeons, rabbits and Hylae (Brazil and Vellard, 1926). In the present study, the neuromuscular action of the extracts of Duvernoy's gland from this Colubridae was investigated in the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. The muscle was indirectly stimulated with supramaximal pulses, and by addition of acetylcholine or carbachol to the organ bath. Direct muscle stimulation was carried out in curarized preparations. The extracts induced an irreversible neuromuscular blockade and also inhibited irreversibly the contracture of the biventer cervicis produced by either acetylcholine or carbachol. The twitches elicited by direct muscle stimulation were not depressed. These results show that the neurotoxin(s) of the extracts interact with the end-plate cholinergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Fontana
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas(UNICAMP), Brazil
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Weinstein SA, Kardong KV. Properties of Duvernoy's secretions from opisthoglyphous and aglyphous colubrid snakes. Toxicon 1994; 32:1161-85. [PMID: 7846688 DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(94)90347-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Relatively little attention has been given to the biological properties of Duvernoy's secretions produced by opisthoglyphous and some aglyphous colubrid snakes. A review is presented of literature pertaining to these secretions. Most detailed analyses of Duvernoy's secretions and their biological properties have been performed since the late 1970s. The dispholidines, Dispholidus typus and Thelotornis sp., and the natricines, Rhabdophis tigrinus and R. subminiata, have received the most attention due to the high toxicity of their secretions and their medical importance. These species produce secretions with variably strong prothrombin-activating activity, defibrinating activity, and hemorrhagic potential. Boigines, and natricines other than Rhabdophis, produce secretions of low to moderate toxicity and are variably hemorrhagic and proteolytic. Xenodontines and homalopsines similarly show hemorrhagic potential with low to moderate toxicity. Neurotoxic activity has been reported only from secretions of the boigines, Boiga blandingi and B. irregularis and the xenodontine, Heterodon platyrhinos. These species produce secretions containing postsynaptically acting components. Analyses of some of these secretions have shown that enzymes common to many ophidian venoms such as phospholipases A and L-amino acid oxidase are uncommon in the colubrid secretions studied. This may be due to few studies assaying for multiple enzyme activities and/or the unavailability of many secretion samples for study. Methods of secretion extraction, storage, and assay are discussed. Projected future research and the adaptive implications of Duvernoy's secretions are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Weinstein
- Department of Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-4236
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Rosenberg HI, Kinamon S, Kochva E, Bdolah A. The secretion of Duvernoy's gland of Malpolon monspessulanus induces haemorrhage in the lungs of mice. Toxicon 1992; 30:920-4. [PMID: 1523684 DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(92)90391-h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A toxic protein that induces death of mice with profuse bleeding from the nostrils was isolated from the secretion of Duvernoy's gland of Malpolon monspessulanus (Colubridae). The toxic protein, referred to as CM-b, showed mainly one band on SDS-PAGE corresponding to a mol. wt of 24,000. Its intravenous LD50 in mice was 1 microgram/g and i.v. injections of lethal or sublethal doses induced haemorrhage in the lungs. When injected into the skin of mice, however, the toxin was not haemorrhagic. CM-b showed no proteolytic or procoagulant activity. The nature of this and other components from Duvernoy's secretion of colubrids that cause similar effects remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Rosenberg
- Department of Biology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Pinto RN, da Silva Júnior NJ, Aird SD. Human envenomation by the South American opisthoglyph Clelia clelia plumbea (Wied). Toxicon 1991; 29:1512-6. [PMID: 1801328 DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(91)90008-f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A 4-year-old girl was hospitalized 10 hr after having been envenomated by a 1.4 m Clelia clelia plumbea, a colubrid. Although the patient exhibited pronounced edema and local hemorrhage, she did not manifest systemic symptoms. Because the attending physician viewed the case as a possible Bothrops bite, anti-Bothrops antivenom (FUNED) was administered. All local symptoms disappeared gradually over a period of 3 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- R N Pinto
- Hospital de Doenças Tropicais, Secretaria da Saúde do Estado de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
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Weinstein SA, Chiszar D, Bell RC, Smith LA. Lethal potency and fractionation of Duvernoy's secretion from the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis. Toxicon 1991; 29:401-7. [PMID: 1862518 DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(91)90014-i] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The liquid secretion contained only 15% protein and had relatively low proteolytic activity. The reconstituted crude secretion had a murine i.p. LD50 of 10.33 mg/kg and was not hemorrhagic in doses up to 200 micrograms. Fast Protein Liquid Chromatographic (FPLC) cation exchange analysis of reconstituted crude secretion resulted in resolution of 16 peaks. Lethal activity was identified in three peaks. The major lethal fraction was 12.5% of the secretion protein and had a murine i.p. LD50 of 7.3 mg/kg. A pooled fraction containing two lethal peaks which comprised 9.4% of secretion protein had moderate proteolytic activity and produced myoglobinuria in mice. The fraction had an approximate murine i.p. LD50 of 3.7 mg/kg. Microscopic examination of muscle tissue from mice succumbing to this fraction revealed multifocal myofiber degeneration and necrosis. SDS-PAGE indicated that the major lethal fraction contained three proteins with mol. wts of 12,500, 18,000 and 52,000 and the myotoxic fraction contained two proteins with mol. wts of 14,500 and 17,000. While B. irregularis Duvernoy's secretion has a low lethal index, it does contain a myotoxic fraction with moderate lethal potency. These observations and recent data describing clinical envenomation of several infant patients suggest that large specimens may pose a hazard to infants and small children.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Weinstein
- Dept of Toxinology, U.S. Army Medical Research, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702-25011
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Perry G. Mild toxic effects resulting from the bites of Jan's desert racer, Coluber rhodorachis, and Moila's snake, Malpolon moilensis (Ophidia: Colubridae). Toxicon 1988; 26:523-4. [PMID: 3176046 DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(88)90231-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Kardong KV, Luchtel DL. Ultrastructure of duvernoy's gland from the wandering garter snake,Thamnophis elegans vagrans (Serpentes, Colubridae). J Morphol 1986; 188:1-13. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.1051880102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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