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Lakušić M, Damm M, Bjelica V, Anđelković M, Tomović L, Bonnet X, Arsovski D, Süssmuth RD, Calvete JJ, Martínez-Freiría F. Ontogeny, not prey availability, underlies allopatric venom variability in insular and mainland populations of Vipera ammodytes. J Proteomics 2024; 310:105320. [PMID: 39306033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2024.105320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Allopatric populations living under distinct ecological conditions are excellent systems to infer factors underlying intraspecific venom variation. The venom composition of two populations of Vipera ammodytes, insular with a diet based on ectotherms and mainland with a diet based on ectotherms and endotherms, was compared considering the sex and age of individuals. Ten toxin families, dominated by PLA2, svMP, svSP, and DI, were identified through a bottom-up approach. The venom profiles of adult females and males were similar. Results from 58 individual SDS-PAGE profiles and venom pool analysis revealed significant differences between juveniles compared to subadults and adults. Two venom phenotypes were identified: a juvenile svMP-dominated and KUN-lacking phenotype and an adult PLA2/svMP-balanced and KUN-containing phenotype. Despite differences in prey availability (and, therefore, diet) between populations, no significant differences in venom composition were found. As the populations are geographically isolated, the lack of venom diversification could be explained by insufficient time for natural selection and/or genetic drift to act on the venom composition of island vipers. However, substantial differences in proteomes were observed when compared to venoms from geographically distant populations inhabiting different conditions. These findings highlight the need to consider ecological and evolutionary processes when studying venom variability. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the venom composition of two allopatric populations of Vipera ammodytes, living under similar abiotic (climate) but distinct biotic (prey availability) conditions. The ontogenetic changes in venom composition, coupled with the lack of differences between sex and between populations, shed light on the main determinants of venom evolution in this medically important snake. Seven new proteomes may facilitate future comparative studies of snake venom evolution. This study highlights the importance of considering ecological and evolutionary factors to understand snake venom variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margareta Lakušić
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal.
| | - Maik Damm
- Animal Venomics Lab, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Gießen 35392, Germany; Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Vukašin Bjelica
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Anđelković
- University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Tomović
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Xavier Bonnet
- CEBC, UMR-7372, CNRS Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Dragan Arsovski
- Macedonian Ecological Society, Arhimedova 5, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Roderich D Süssmuth
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-Freiría
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
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2
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Oliveira AL, Viegas MF, da Silva SL, Soares AM, Ramos MJ, Fernandes PA. The chemistry of snake venom and its medicinal potential. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 6:451-469. [PMID: 35702592 PMCID: PMC9185726 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00393-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The fascination and fear of snakes dates back to time immemorial, with the first scientific treatise on snakebite envenoming, the Brooklyn Medical Papyrus, dating from ancient Egypt. Owing to their lethality, snakes have often been associated with images of perfidy, treachery and death. However, snakes did not always have such negative connotations. The curative capacity of venom has been known since antiquity, also making the snake a symbol of pharmacy and medicine. Today, there is renewed interest in pursuing snake-venom-based therapies. This Review focuses on the chemistry of snake venom and the potential for venom to be exploited for medicinal purposes in the development of drugs. The mixture of toxins that constitute snake venom is examined, focusing on the molecular structure, chemical reactivity and target recognition of the most bioactive toxins, from which bioactive drugs might be developed. The design and working mechanisms of snake-venom-derived drugs are illustrated, and the strategies by which toxins are transformed into therapeutics are analysed. Finally, the challenges in realizing the immense curative potential of snake venom are discussed, and chemical strategies by which a plethora of new drugs could be derived from snake venom are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L. Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Matilde F. Viegas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Saulo L. da Silva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreimar M. Soares
- Biotechnology Laboratory for Proteins and Bioactive Compounds from the Western Amazon, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, National Institute of Epidemiology in the Western Amazon (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho, Brazil
- Sao Lucas Universitary Center (UniSL), Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Maria J. Ramos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro A. Fernandes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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3
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Latinović Z, Leonardi A, Koh CY, Kini RM, Trampuš Bakija A, Pungerčar J, Križaj I. The Procoagulant Snake Venom Serine Protease Potentially Having a Dual, Blood Coagulation Factor V and X-Activating Activity. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12060358. [PMID: 32485989 PMCID: PMC7354534 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12060358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A procoagulant snake venom serine protease was isolated from the venom of the nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes). This 34 kDa glycoprotein, termed VaaSP-VX, possesses five kDa N-linked carbohydrates. Amino acid sequencing showed VaaSP-VX to be a chymotrypsin-like serine protease. Structurally, it is highly homologous to VaaSP-6 from the same venom and to nikobin from the venom of Vipera nikolskii, neither of which have known functions. VaaSP-VX does not affect platelets. The specific proteolysis of blood coagulation factors X and V by VaaSP-VX suggests that its blood-coagulation-inducing effect is due to its ability to activate these two blood coagulation factors, which following activation, combine to form the prothrombinase complex. VaaSP-VX may thus represent the first example of a serine protease with such a dual activity, which makes it a highly suitable candidate to replace diluted Russell’s viper venom in lupus anticoagulant testing, thus achieving greater reliability of the analysis. As a blood-coagulation-promoting substance that is resistant to serpin inhibition, VaaSP-VX is also interesting from the therapeutic point of view for treating patients suffering from hemophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorica Latinović
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Z.L.); (A.L.); (J.P.)
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Adrijana Leonardi
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Z.L.); (A.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Cho Yeow Koh
- Protein Science Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (C.Y.K.); (R.M.K.)
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - R. Manjunatha Kini
- Protein Science Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (C.Y.K.); (R.M.K.)
| | - Alenka Trampuš Bakija
- Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center, Bohoričeva 20, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Jože Pungerčar
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Z.L.); (A.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Igor Križaj
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Z.L.); (A.L.); (J.P.)
- Correspondence:
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Leonardi A, Sajevic T, Pungerčar J, Križaj I. Comprehensive Study of the Proteome and Transcriptome of the Venom of the Most Venomous European Viper: Discovery of a New Subclass of Ancestral Snake Venom Metalloproteinase Precursor-Derived Proteins. J Proteome Res 2019; 18:2287-2309. [PMID: 31017792 PMCID: PMC6727599 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The
nose-horned viper, its nominotypical subspecies Vipera
ammodytes ammodytes (Vaa), in particular,
is, medically, one of the most relevant snakes in Europe. The local
and systemic clinical manifestations of poisoning by the venom of
this snake are the result of the pathophysiological effects inflicted
by enzymatic and nonenzymatic venom components acting, most prominently,
on the blood, cardiovascular, and nerve systems. This venom is a very
complex mixture of pharmacologically active proteins and peptides.
To help improve the current antivenom therapy toward higher specificity
and efficiency and to assist drug discovery, we have constructed,
by combining transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, the most comprehensive
library yet of the Vaa venom proteins and peptides.
Sequence analysis of the venom gland cDNA library has revealed the
presence of messages encoding 12 types of polypeptide precursors.
The most abundant are those for metalloproteinase inhibitors (MPis),
bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs), and natriuretic peptides
(NPs) (all three on a single precursor), snake C-type lectin-like
proteins (snaclecs), serine proteases (SVSPs), P-II and P-III metalloproteinases
(SVMPs), secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s),
and disintegrins (Dis). These constitute >88% of the venom transcriptome.
At the protein level, 57 venom proteins belonging to 16 different
protein families have been identified and, with SVSPs, sPLA2s, snaclecs, and SVMPs, comprise ∼80% of all venom proteins.
Peptides detected in the venom include NPs, BPPs, and inhibitors of
SVSPs and SVMPs. Of particular interest, a transcript coding for a
protein similar to P-III SVMPs but lacking the MP domain was also
found at the protein level in the venom. The existence of such proteins,
also supported by finding similar venom gland transcripts in related
snake species, has been demonstrated for the first time, justifying
the proposal of a new P-IIIe subclass of ancestral SVMP precursor-derived
proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrijana Leonardi
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences , Jožef Stefan Institute , Jamova cesta 39 , SI-1000 Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Tamara Sajevic
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences , Jožef Stefan Institute , Jamova cesta 39 , SI-1000 Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Jože Pungerčar
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences , Jožef Stefan Institute , Jamova cesta 39 , SI-1000 Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Igor Križaj
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences , Jožef Stefan Institute , Jamova cesta 39 , SI-1000 Ljubljana , Slovenia
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Amorim FG, Menaldo DL, Carone SEI, Silva TA, Sartim MA, De Pauw E, Quinton L, Sampaio SV. New Insights on Moojase, a Thrombin-Like Serine Protease from Bothrops moojeni Snake Venom. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10120500. [PMID: 30487389 PMCID: PMC6316876 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10120500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Snake venom serine proteases (SVSPs) are enzymes that are capable of interfering in various parts of the blood coagulation cascade, which makes them interesting candidates for the development of new therapeutic drugs. Herein, we isolated and characterized Moojase, a potent coagulant enzyme from Bothrops moojeni snake venom. The toxin was isolated from the crude venom using a two-step chromatographic procedure. Moojase is a glycoprotein with N-linked glycans, molecular mass of 30.3 kDa and acidic character (pI 5.80⁻6.88). Sequencing of Moojase indicated that it is an isoform of Batroxobin. Moojase was able to clot platelet-poor plasma and fibrinogen solutions in a dose-dependent manner, indicating thrombin-like properties. Moojase also rapidly induced the proteolysis of the Aα chains of human fibrinogen, followed by the degradation of the Bβ chains after extended periods of incubation, and these effects were inhibited by PMSF, SDS and DTT, but not by benzamidine or EDTA. RP-HPLC analysis of its fibrinogenolysis confirmed the main generation of fibrinopeptide A. Moojase also induced the fibrinolysis of fibrin clots formed in vitro, and the aggregation of washed platelets, as well as significant amidolytic activity on substrates for thrombin, plasma kallikrein, factor Xia, and factor XIIa. Furthermore, thermofluor analyses and the esterase activity of Moojase demonstrated its very high stability at different pH buffers and temperatures. Thus, studies such as this for Moojase should increase knowledge on SVSPs, allowing their bioprospection as valuable prototypes in the development of new drugs, or as biotechnological tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda G Amorim
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - Danilo L Menaldo
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - Sante E I Carone
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - Thiago A Silva
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - Marco A Sartim
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - Edwin De Pauw
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Loic Quinton
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Suely V Sampaio
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil.
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6
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Camacho E, Sanz L, Escalante T, Pérez A, Villalta F, Lomonte B, Neves-Ferreira AGC, Feoli A, Calvete JJ, Gutiérrez JM, Rucavado A. Novel Catalytically-Inactive PII Metalloproteinases from a Viperid Snake Venom with Substitutions in the Canonical Zinc-Binding Motif. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E292. [PMID: 27754342 PMCID: PMC5086652 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8100292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) play key biological roles in prey immobilization and digestion. The majority of these activities depend on the hydrolysis of relevant protein substrates in the tissues. Hereby, we describe several isoforms and a cDNA clone sequence, corresponding to PII SVMP homologues from the venom of the Central American pit viper Bothriechis lateralis, which have modifications in the residues of the canonical sequence of the zinc-binding motif HEXXHXXGXXH. As a consequence, the proteolytic activity of the isolated proteins was undetectable when tested on azocasein and gelatin. These PII isoforms comprise metalloproteinase and disintegrin domains in the mature protein, thus belonging to the subclass PIIb of SVMPs. PII SVMP homologues were devoid of hemorrhagic and in vitro coagulant activities, effects attributed to the enzymatic activity of SVMPs, but induced a mild edema. One of the isoforms presents the characteristic RGD sequence in the disintegrin domain and inhibits ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Catalytically-inactive SVMP homologues may have been hitherto missed in the characterization of snake venoms. The presence of such enzymatically-inactive homologues in snake venoms and their possible toxic and adaptive roles deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Camacho
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica.
| | - Libia Sanz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia 46010, Spain.
| | - Teresa Escalante
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica.
| | - Alicia Pérez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia 46010, Spain.
| | - Fabián Villalta
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica.
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica.
| | | | - Andrés Feoli
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica.
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia 46010, Spain.
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia 46022, Spain.
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica.
| | - Alexandra Rucavado
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica.
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Latinović Z, Leonardi A, Šribar J, Sajevic T, Žužek MC, Frangež R, Halassy B, Trampuš-Bakija A, Pungerčar J, Križaj I. Venomics of Vipera berus berus to explain differences in pathology elicited by Vipera ammodytes ammodytes envenomation: Therapeutic implications. J Proteomics 2016; 146:34-47. [PMID: 27327134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Vipera berus berus (Vbb) is the most widely distributed and Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (Vaa) the most venomous viper in Europe. In particular areas of the Old continent their toxic bites constitute a considerable public health problem. To make the current envenomation therapy more effective we have analysed the proteome of Vbb venom and compared it with that of Vaa. We found the proteome of Vbb to be much less complex and to contain smaller levels of particularly snaclecs and sPLA2s. Snaclecs are probably responsible for thrombocytopenia. The neurotoxic sPLA2s, ammodytoxins, are responsible for the most specific feature of the Vaa venom poisoning - induction of signs of neurotoxicity in patients. These molecules were not found in Vbb venom. Both venoms induce haemorrhage and coagulopathy in man. As Vaa and Vbb venoms possess homologous P-III snake venom metalloproteinases, the main haemorrhagic factors, the severity of the haemorrhage is dictated by concentration and specific activity of these molecules. The much greater anticoagulant effect of Vaa venom than that of Vbb venom lies in its higher extrinsic pathway coagulation factor-proteolysing activity and content of ammodytoxins which block the prothrombinase complex formation. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Envenomations by venomous snakes constitute a considerable public health problem worldwide, and also in Europe. In the submitted work we analysed the venom proteome of Vipera berus berus (Vbb), the most widely distributed venomous snake in Europe and compared it with the venom proteome of the most venomous viper in Europe, Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (Vaa). We have offered a possible explanation, at the molecular level, for the differences in clinical pictures inflicted by the Vbb and Vaa venoms. We have provided an explanation for the effectiveness of treatment of Vbb envenomation by Vaa antiserum and explained why full protection of Vaa venom poisoning by Vbb antiserum should not be always expected, especially not in cases of severe poisoning. The latter makes a strong case for Vaa antiserum production as we are faced with its shortage due to ceasing of production of two most frequently used products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorica Latinović
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Adrijana Leonardi
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jernej Šribar
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tamara Sajevic
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Monika C Žužek
- Institute of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Frangež
- Institute of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Beata Halassy
- Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Jože Pungerčar
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Križaj
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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8
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Modica MV, Lombardo F, Franchini P, Oliverio M. The venomous cocktail of the vampire snail Colubraria reticulata (Mollusca, Gastropoda). BMC Genomics 2015; 16:441. [PMID: 26054852 PMCID: PMC4460706 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1648-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hematophagy arose independently multiple times during metazoan evolution, with several lineages of vampire animals particularly diversified in invertebrates. However, the biochemistry of hematophagy has been studied in a few species of direct medical interest and is still underdeveloped in most invertebrates, as in general is the study of venom toxins. In cone snails, leeches, arthropods and snakes, the strong target specificity of venom toxins uniquely aligns them to industrial and academic pursuits (pharmacological applications, pest control etc.) and provides a biochemical tool for studying biological activities including cell signalling and immunological response. Neogastropod snails (cones, oyster drills etc.) are carnivorous and include active predators, scavengers, grazers on sessile invertebrates and hematophagous parasites; most of them use venoms to efficiently feed. It has been hypothesized that trophic innovations were the main drivers of rapid radiation of Neogastropoda in the late Cretaceous. We present here the first molecular characterization of the alimentary secretion of a non-conoidean neogastropod, Colubraria reticulata. Colubrariids successfully feed on the blood of fishes, throughout the secretion into the host of a complex mixture of anaesthetics and anticoagulants. We used a NGS RNA-Seq approach, integrated with differential expression analyses and custom searches for putative secreted feeding-related proteins, to describe in detail the salivary and mid-oesophageal transcriptomes of this Mediterranean vampire snail, with functional and evolutionary insights on major families of bioactive molecules. Results A remarkably low level of overlap was observed between the gene expression in the two target tissues, which also contained a high percentage of putatively secreted proteins when compared to the whole body. At least 12 families of feeding-related proteins were identified, including: 1) anaesthetics, such as ShK Toxin-containing proteins and turripeptides (ion-channel blockers), Cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), Adenosine Deaminase (ADA); 2) inhibitors of primary haemostasis, such as novel vWFA domain-containing proteins, the Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 5 (ENPP5) and the wasp Antigen-5; 3) anticoagulants, such as TFPI-like multiple Kunitz-type protease inhibitors, Peptidases S1 (PS1), CAP/ShKT domain-containing proteins, Astacin metalloproteases and Astacin/ShKT domain-containing proteins; 4) additional proteins, such the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE: vasopressive) and the cytolytic Porins. Conclusions Colubraria feeding physiology seems to involve inhibitors of both primary and secondary haemostasis, anaesthetics, a vasoconstrictive enzyme to reduce feeding time and tissue-degrading proteins such as Porins and Astacins. The complexity of Colubraria venomous cocktail and the divergence from the arsenal of the few neogastropods studied to date (mostly conoideans) suggest that biochemical diversification of neogastropods might be largely underestimated and worth of extensive investigation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1648-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vittoria Modica
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "C. Darwin", Sapienza University, I-00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Lombardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, I-00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paolo Franchini
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, D-78745, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Marco Oliverio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "C. Darwin", Sapienza University, I-00185, Rome, Italy.
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Leonardi A, Sajevic T, Latinović Z, Pungerčar J, Balija ML, Bakija AT, Vidmar R, Halassy B, Križaj I. Structural and biochemical characterisation of VaF1, a P-IIIa fibrinogenolytic metalloproteinase from Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom. Biochimie 2014; 109:78-87. [PMID: 25549999 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2014.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A high molecular mass metalloproteinase with α-fibrinogenolytic activity, termed VaF1, was purified from nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes) venom. Subcutaneous injection of 9 μg of VaF1 did not induce bleeding in rats. Nevertheless, in vitro it degraded collagen IV, nidogen and fibronectin, components of the extracellular matrix, although with low efficacy and narrow specificity. VaF1 would be expected to exert anti-coagulant action, due to its hydrolysis of fibrinogen, factor X, prothrombin and plasminogen, plasma proteins involved in blood coagulation. The enzyme is a single-chain glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 49.7 kDa, as determined by mass spectrometry, and multiple isoelectric points centred at pH 5.8. The complete amino acid sequence of the precursor of VaF1 was deduced by cloning and sequencing its cDNA. Composed of metalloproteinase, disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains, VaF1 is a typical P-IIIa subclass snake venom metalloproteinase. Although it possesses a collagen-binding sequence in its disintegrin-like domain, VaF1 displayed no effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. Two consensus N-glycosylation sites are present in the sequence of VaF1, however, the extent of its glycosylation is low, only 5.2% of the total molecular mass. Interestingly, in standard experimental conditions VaF1 is not recognised by antiserum against the whole venom, so it can contribute to post-serotherapy complications, such as ineffective blood coagulation, in the envenomed patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrijana Leonardi
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tamara Sajevic
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Zorica Latinović
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jože Pungerčar
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Lang Balija
- Institute of Immunology, Inc., Rockefellerova 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Robert Vidmar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Beata Halassy
- Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Rockefellerova 10, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Igor Križaj
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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