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Biological and Medical Aspects Related to South American Rattlesnake Crotalus durissus (Linnaeus, 1758): A View from Colombia. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120875. [PMID: 36548772 PMCID: PMC9784998 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In Colombia, South America, there is a subspecies of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus, C. d. cumanensis, a snake of the Viperidae family, whose presence has been reduced due to the destruction of its habitat. It is an enigmatic snake from the group of pit vipers, venomous, with large articulated front fangs, special designs on its body, and a characteristic rattle on its tail. Unlike in Brazil, the occurrence of human envenomation by C. durisus in Colombia is very rare and contributes to less than 1% of envenomation caused by snakes. Its venom is a complex cocktail of proteins with different biological effects, which evolved with the purpose of paralyzing the prey, killing it, and starting its digestive process, as well as having defense functions. When its venom is injected into humans as the result of a bite, the victim presents with both local tissue damage and with systemic involvement, including a diverse degree of neurotoxic, myotoxic, nephrotoxic, and coagulopathic effects, among others. Its biological effects are being studied for use in human health, including the possible development of analgesic, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-infection, and antineoplastic drugs. Several groups of researchers in Brazil are very active in their contributions in this regard. In this work, a review is made of the most relevant biological and medical aspects related to the South American rattlesnake and of what may be of importance for a better understanding of the snake C. d. cumanensis, present in Colombia and Venezuela.
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Purification and Characterization of a Novel Factor of Crotoxin Inter-CRO (V-1), a New Phospholipase A2 Isoform from Crotalus durissus collilineatus Snake Venom Using an In Vitro Neuromuscular Preparation. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10071428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The fractionation of Crotalus durissus collilineatus whole venom through an HPLC chromatographic method enabled the purification of a new V-1 neurotoxin. Inter-CRO (V-1) presents similarity in its primary structure to crotoxin B (CB), suggesting another isoform of this toxin. The aim of this study was to compare V-1 to the crotoxin complex (CA/CB) and CB to elucidate aspects related to its functionality. The homogeneity of the purified protein was confirmed with a molecular mass of 1425.45 Da, further verified by mass spectrometry. The sequence of the protein showed high similarity to other viperid snake venom PLA2 proteins. The results of this study report that V-1 is an uncharacterized novel toxin with different biological activities from CB. V-1 maintained catalytic activity but presented neurotoxic activity as observed by the 2.5-fold increase in twitch tension record compared to control values on isolated muscle cells.
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Teodoro A, Gonçalves FJ, Oliveira H, Marques S. Venom of Viperidae: A Perspective of its Antibacterial and Antitumor
Potential. Curr Drug Targets 2022; 23:126-144. [DOI: 10.2174/1389450122666210811164517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
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The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria and limitations on cancer treatment represent
two important challenges in modern medicine. Biological compounds have been explored with
a particular focus on venoms. Although they can be lethal or cause considerable damage to humans,
venom is also a source rich in components with high therapeutic potential.
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Viperidae family is one of the most emblematic venomous snake families and several studies highlighted
the antibacterial and antitumor potential of viper toxins. According to the literature, these
activities are mainly associated to five protein families - svLAAO, Disintegrins, PLA2, SVMPs and
C-type lectins- that act through different mechanisms leading to the inhibition of the growth of bacteria,
as well as, cytotoxic effects and inhibition of metastasis process. In this review, we provide
an overview of the venom toxins produced by species belonging to the Viperidae family, exploring
their roles during the envenoming and their pharmacological properties, in order to demonstrate its
antibacterial and antitumor potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Teodoro
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J.M. Gonçalves
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM- Centre for Environmental and
Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Helena Oliveira
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM- Centre for Environmental and
Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Marques
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM- Centre for Environmental and
Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Dos Santos RR, Bernardino TC, da Silva MCM, de Oliveira ACP, Drumond LE, Rosa DV, Massensini AR, Moraes MFD, Doretto MC, Romano-Silva MA, Reis HJ. Neurochemical abnormalities in the hippocampus of male rats displaying audiogenic seizures, a genetic model of epilepsy. Neurosci Lett 2021; 761:136123. [PMID: 34293418 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by recurrent seizures that affects 1% of the population. However, the neurochemical alterations observed in epilepsy are not fully understood. There are different animal models of epilepsy, such as genetic or drug induced. In the present study, we utilize Wistar Audiogenic Rats (WAR), a murine strain that develops seizures in response to high intensity audio stimulation, in order to investigate abnormalities in glutamatergic and GABAergic systems. METHODS Synaptosomes and glial plasmalemmal vesicles were prepared from hippocampus and cortex, respectively. Glutamate and GABA release and uptake were assayed by monitoring the fluorescence and using L-[3H]-radiolabeled compounds. Glutamate and calcium concentration in the synaptosomes were also measured. The expression of neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) was determined by western blot. RESULTS Glutamate and GABA release evoked by KCl was decreased in WAR compared to control Wistar rats. Calcium independent release was not considerably different in both groups. The total amount of glutamate of synaptosomes, as well as glutamate uptake by synaptosomes and GPV were also decreased in WAR in comparison with the controls. In addition, [Ca2+]i of hippocampal synaptosomes, as well as NCS-1 expression in the hippocampus, were increased in WAR in comparison with controls. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our results suggest that WAR have important alterations in the glutamatergic and GABAergic pathways, as well as an increased expression of NCS-1 in the hippocampus and inferior colliculus. These alterations may be linked to the spreading of hyperexcitability and recruitment of various brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Ribeiro Dos Santos
- Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Alfredo Balena 190, CEP 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 30190-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Túlio C Bernardino
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 30190-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Machado da Silva
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 30190-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Antônio C P de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 30190-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luciana E Drumond
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Biofísica e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 30190-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Daniela V Rosa
- Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Alfredo Balena 190, CEP 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - André R Massensini
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Biofísica e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 30190-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Márcio F D Moraes
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Biofísica e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 30190-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria C Doretto
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Biofísica e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 30190-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marco A Romano-Silva
- Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Alfredo Balena 190, CEP 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Helton J Reis
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 30190-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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