Biochemical characterization and pharmacological properties of a phospholipase A2 myotoxin inhibitor from the plasma of the snake Bothrops asper

Hyperglycosylation impairs the inhibitory activity of rCdtPLI2, the first recombinant beta-phospholipase A2 inhibitor

Crotoxin, a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) complex and the major Crotalus venom component, is responsible for the main symptoms described in crotalic snakebite envenomings and a key target for PLA2 inhibitors (PLIs). PLIs comprise the alpha, beta and gamma families, and, due to a lack of reports on beta-PLIs, this study aimed to heterologously express CdtPLI2 from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom gland to improve the knowledge of the neglected beta-PLI family. Thereby, recombinant CdtPLI2 (rCdtPLI2) was produced in the eukaryotic Pichia pastoris system to keep some native post-translational modifications. rCdtPLI2 (~41 kDa) presents both N- and O-linked glycans. Alpha-mannosidase digested-rCdtPLI2 (1 mol) strongly inhibited (73%) CB-Cdc catalytic activity (5 moles), demonstrating that glycosylations performed by P. pastoris affect rCdtPLI2 action. Digested-rCdtPLI2 also inhibited PLA2s from diverse Brazilian snake venoms. Furthermore, rCdtPLI2 (1 mol) abolished the catalytic activity of Lmr-PLA2 (5 moles) and reduced the CTx-Cdc (5 moles) enzyme activity by 65%, suppressing basic and acidic snake venom PLA2s. Additionally, crotalic antivenom did not recognize rCdtPLI2, suggesting a lack of neutralization by antivenom antibodies. These findings demonstrate that studying snake venom components may reveal interesting novel molecules to be studied in the snakebite treatment and help to understand these underexplored inhibitors.

Lys49 myotoxins, secreted phospholipase A2-like proteins of viperid venoms: A comprehensive review

Muscle necrosis is a potential clinical complication of snakebite envenomings, which in severe cases can lead to functional or physical sequelae such as disability or amputation. Snake venom proteins with the ability to directly damage skeletal muscle fibers are collectively referred to as myotoxins, and include three main types: cytolysins of the "three-finger toxin" protein family expressed in many elapid venoms, the so-called "small" myotoxins found in a number of rattlesnake venoms, and the widespread secreted phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂) molecules. Among the latter, protein variants that conserve the sPLA₂ structure, but lack such enzymatic activity, have been increasingly found in the venoms of many viperid species. Intriguingly, these sPLA₂-like proteins are able to induce muscle necrosis by a mechanism independent of phospholipid hydrolysis. They are commonly referred to as "Lys49 myotoxins" since they most often present, among other substitutions, the replacement of the otherwise invariant residue Asp49 of sPLA₂s by Lys. This work comprehensively reviews the historical developments and current knowledge towards deciphering the mechanism of action of Lys49 sPLA₂-like myotoxins, and points out main gaps to be filled for a better understanding of these multifaceted snake venom proteins, to hopefully lead to improved treatments for snakebites.

Neutralization of "Chaco eagle" (Buteogallus coronatus) serum on some activities of Bothrops spp. venoms

Several species of reptiles and mammals have components in their sera that can neutralize toxic components present in snake venoms. In this manuscript, we studied the neutralizing capacity of Chaco eagle's (Buteogallus coronatus) serum. This South American bird of prey eats snakes as a regular part of its diet and has anatomical features that protect from snakes' bites. The neutralizing potency of the Chaco eagle's serum was tested on lethal, hemorrhagic, procoagulant, and phospholipase activities of the venom of "yarará grande" (Bothrops alternatus) and on phospholipase activity of "yarará ñata" (Bothrops ammodytoides) venom; both snakes are known to be the prey of Chaco eagle. Sera of crested caracara (Caracara plancus-a scavenger, omnivorous pan-American bird of prey), secretary bird (Saggitarius serpentarius-an omnivorous bird of prey from Africa that can include venomous snakes in its diet), common hen (Gallus gallus), rat (Rattus norvegicus), mouse (Mus musculus), horse (Equus caballus), and dog (Canis lupus familiaris) were also tested to compare the inhibitory capacity of neutralization. To test isologous and xenologous neutralization, sera from Bothrops alternatus and white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris), respectively, were used due to their known inhibitory activity on Bothrops venoms. As a control for the neutralization activity, antibothropic antivenom was used. Chaco eagle's serum neutralized hemorrhagic and phospholipasic activity and slightly neutralized the coagulation and the lethal activity of Bothrops spp. venom. The neutralizing capacity was present in the non-immunoglobulin fraction of the serum, which showed components of acidic characteristics and lower molecular weight than IgY, in correspondence with the characteristics of PLA₂s and SVMPs inhibitors described in sera from some snakes and mammals. These studies showed that Chaco eagle's serum neutralizes all toxic activities tested at a higher level than sera from animal species in which inhibitors of snake venoms have not been described (p < 0.05), while it is lower or similar in neutralizing capacity to white-eared opossum and B. alternatus sera.

Convergent evolution of toxin resistance in animals

Convergence is the phenomenon whereby similar phenotypes evolve independently in different lineages. One example is resistance to toxins in animals. Toxins have evolved many times throughout the tree of life. They disrupt molecular and physiological pathways in target species, thereby incapacitating prey or deterring a predator. In response, molecular resistance has evolved in many species exposed to toxins to counteract their harmful effects. Here, we review current knowledge on the convergence of toxin resistance using examples from a wide range of toxin families. We explore the evolutionary processes and molecular adaptations driving toxin resistance. However, resistance adaptations may carry a fitness cost if they disrupt the normal physiology of the resistant animal. Therefore, there is a trade‐off between maintaining a functional molecular target and reducing toxin susceptibility. There are relatively few solutions that satisfy this trade‐off. As a result, we see a small set of molecular adaptations appearing repeatedly in diverse animal lineages, a phenomenon that is consistent with models of deterministic evolution. Convergence may also explain what has been called ‘autoresistance’. This is often thought to have evolved for self‐protection, but we argue instead that it may be a consequence of poisonous animals feeding on toxic prey. Toxin resistance provides a unique and compelling model system for studying the interplay between trophic interactions, selection pressures and the molecular mechanisms underlying evolutionary novelties.

A comparative study of endogenous phospholipase A2 inhibitors in the serum of Brazilian pit vipers

This work compared the presence of phospholipase A₂ inhibitors (PLIs) in the serum of 19 snake species maintained at Instituto Butantan to better understand the mechanisms of venom resistance in snakes and improve the treatment of snakebite. PLI was isolated from blood of 19 snake species by one-step chromatography and identified in all samples, besides its identity was confirmed through the interaction with both phospholipase A₂ and anti-γPLI. These findings highlight the diversity of snake serum PLIs and emphasize the importance of structure-function studies.

Omics Technologies for Profiling Toxin Diversity and Evolution in Snake Venom: Impacts on the Discovery of Therapeutic and Diagnostic Agents

Snake venoms are primarily composed of proteins and peptides, and these toxins have developed high selectivity to their biological targets. This makes venoms interesting for exploration into protein evolution and structure-function relationships. A single venom protein superfamily can exhibit a variety of pharmacological effects; these variations in activity originate from differences in functional sites, domains, posttranslational modifications, and the formations of toxin complexes. In this review, we discuss examples of how the major venom protein superfamilies have diversified, as well as how newer technologies in the omics fields, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, can be used to characterize both known and unknown toxins.Because toxins are bioactive molecules with a rich diversity of activities, they can be useful as therapeutic and diagnostic agents, and successful examples of toxin applications in these areas are also reviewed. With the current rapid pace of technology, snake venom research and its applications will only continue to expand.

Purification and characterization of the first γ-phospholipase inhibitor (γPLI) from Bothrops jararaca snake serum

Phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂) are enzymes acting on the cell membrane phospholipids resulting in fatty acids and lysophospholipids and deconstructing the cell membrane. This protein is commonly found in snake venoms, causing tissue inflammation in the affected area. Evidence indicates that snakes have natural resistance to their own venom due to protective properties in plasma, that inhibit the action of proteins present in their venom. Given that, this study aimed to purify and characterize a γPLI from Bothrops jararaca serum, named γBjPLI. PLA₂ inhibitor was isolated using two chromatographic steps: an ion exchange column (DEAE), followed by an affinity column (crotoxin coupled to a CNBr-activated Sepharose resin). The purity and biochemical characterization of the isolated protein were analyzed by RP-HPLC, SEC, SDS-PAGE, circular dichroism and mass spectrometry. The ability to inhibit PLA₂ was determined by enzymatic activity, neutralization of paw edema and myonecrosis. The protein purity was confirmed by RP-HPLC and SEC, whilst an apparent molecular mass of 25 kDa and 20 kDa was obtained by SDS-PAGE, under reducing and non-reducing conditions, respectively. According to mass spectrometry analysis, this protein showed 72% and 68% of coverage when aligned to amino acid sequences of two proteins already described as PLIs. Thus, the inhibitory activity of enzymatic, edema and myonecrotic activities by γBjPLI suggests a role of this inhibitor for protection of these snakes against self-envenomation.

Snake Venom PLA2, a Promising Target for Broad-Spectrum Antivenom Drug Development

Snakebite envenomation is a neglected global health problem, causing substantial mortality, disability, and psychological morbidity, especially in rural tropical and subtropical zones. Antivenin is currently the only specific medicine for envenomation. However, it is restricted by cold storage, snakebite diagnosis, and high price. Snake venom phospholipase A₂s (svPLA₂s) are found in all kinds of venomous snake families (e.g., Viperidae, Elapidae, and Colubridae). Along with their catalytic activity, svPLA₂s elicit a wide variety of pharmacological effects that play a pivotal role in envenomation damage. Hence, neutralization of the svPLA₂s could weaken or inhibit toxic damage. Here we overviewed the latest knowledge on the distribution, pathophysiological effects, and inhibitors of svPLA₂s to elucidate the potential for a novel, wide spectrum antivenom drug targeting svPLA₂s.

Alpha-type phospholipase A2 inhibitors from snake blood

It is of popular and scientific knowledge that toxins from snake venom (among them the PLA2 and myotoxins) are neutralized by various compounds, such as antibodies and proteins purified from animal blood. Venomous and nonvenomous snakes have PLA2 inhibitory proteins, called PLIs, in their blood serum. One hypothesis that could explain the presence of these PLIs in the serum of venomous snakes would be self-protection against the enzymes of their own venom, which eventually could reach the circulatory system. However, the presence of PLIs in non-venomous snakes suggests that their physiological role might not be restricted to protection against PLA2 toxins, but could be extended to other functions, as in the innate immune system and local regulation of PLA2s. The present study aimed to review the currently available literature on PLA2 and myotoxin alpha inhibitors present in snake plasma, thus helping to improve the research on these molecules. Furthermore, this review includes current information regarding the mechanism of action of these inhibitors in an attempt to better understand their application, and proposes the use of these molecules as new models in snakebite therapy. These molecules may help in the neutralization of different types of phospholipases A2 and myotoxins, complementing the conventional serum therapy.

Endogenous phospholipase A2 inhibitors in snakes: a brief overview

The blood plasma of numerous snake species naturally comprises endogenous phospholipase A₂ inhibitors, which primarily neutralize toxic phospholipases A₂ that may eventually reach their circulation. This inhibitor type is generally known as snake blood phospholipase A₂ inhibitors (sbPLIs). Most, if not all sbPLIs are oligomeric glycosylated proteins, although the carbohydrate moiety may not be essential for PLA₂ inhibition in every case. The presently known sbPLIs belong to one of three structural classes – namely sbαPLI, sbβPLI or sbγPLI – depending on the presence of characteristic C-type lectin-like domains, leucine-rich repeats or three-finger motifs, respectively. Currently, the most numerous inhibitors described in the literature are sbαPLIs and sbγPLIs, whereas sbβPLIs are rare. When the target PLA₂ is a Lys49 homolog or an Asp49 myotoxin, the sbPLI is denominated a myotoxin inhibitor protein (MIP). In this brief overview, the most relevant data on sbPLIs will be presented. Representative examples of sbαPLIs and sbγPLIs from two Old World – Gloydius brevicaudus and Malayopython reticulatus – and two New World – Bothrops alternatus and Crotalus durissus terrificus – snake species will be emphasized.

rBaltMIP, a recombinant alpha-type myotoxin inhibitor from Bothrops alternatus (Rhinocerophis alternatus) snake, as a potential candidate to complement the antivenom therapy

Phospholipase A₂ inhibitors (PLIs) are important targets in the search and development of new drugs. This study aimed at evaluating the potential of an alpha-type phospholipase A₂ inhibitor from Bothrops alternatus (Rhinocerophis alternatus) snake in its recombinant form (rBaltMIP) to complement the conventional antivenom therapy. Biochemical experiments showed that rBaltMIP presented pI 5.8 and molecular masses of ∼21 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 19.57 kDa by MALDI/TOF MS. After tryptic peptides sequencing, the results were compared with other PLIs available in databases, showing 100% identity between rBaltMIP and its native inhibitor BaltMIP and from 92% to 96% identity with other inhibitors. Myotoxic activities of BthTX-I and BthTX-II toxins were measured via plasma CK levels, showing myotoxic effective concentrations (EC50) of 0.1256 μg/μL and 0.6183 μg/μL, respectively. rBaltMIP neutralized the myotoxicity caused by these two toxins up to 65%, without promoting primary antibody response against itself. Nevertheless, this recombinant PLI was immunogenic when standard immunization protocol with Freud's adjuvant was used. In paw edema assays, EC50 of 0.02581 μg/μL and 0.02810 μg/μL, respectively, were observed with edema reductions of up to 40% by rBaltMIP, suggesting its use as an additional antivenom. In addition, myotoxicity neutralization experiments with the myotoxin BthTX-I showed that rBaltMIP was more effective in inhibiting muscle damage than the conventional antivenom. Thus, considering the severity of envenomations due to Bothrops alternatus (Rhinocerophis alternatus) and the low neutralization of their local effects (such as myotoxicity) by the current antivenoms, rBaltMIP is a promising molecule for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for clinical applications.

Heterologous expression and biochemical and functional characterization of a recombinant alpha-type myotoxin inhibitor from Bothrops alternatus snake

Venomous and non-venomous snakes possess phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitory proteins (PLIs) in their blood serum. This study shows the expression and biochemical and functional characterization of a recombinant alpha inhibitor from Bothrops alternatus snake, named rBaltMIP. Its expression was performed in Pichia pastoris heterologous system, resulting in an active recombinant protein. The expressed inhibitor was tested regarding its ability to inhibit the phospholipase activity of different PLA2s, showing slight inhibitions especially at the molar ratios of 1:1 and 1:3 (PLA2:PLI). rBaltMIP was also effective in decreasing the myotoxic activity of the tested toxins at molar ratios greater than 1:0.4 (myotoxin:PLI). The inhibition of the myotoxic activity of different Asp49 (BthTX-II and PrTX-III) and Lys49 (BthTX-I and PrTX-I) myotoxins was also performed without the prior incubation of myotoxins/inhibitor in order to analyze the real possibility of using snake plasma inhibitors or recombinant inhibitors as therapeutic agents for treating envenomations. As a result, rBaltMIP was able to significantly inhibit the myotoxicity of Lys49 myotoxins. Histopathological analysis of the gastrocnemius muscles of mice showed that the myotoxins are able to induce severe damage to the muscle fibers of experimental animals by recruiting a large number of leukocyte infiltrates, besides forming an intense accumulation of intercellular fluid, leading to local edema. When those myotoxins were incubated with rBaltMIP, a reduction of the damage site could be observed. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of Asp49 PLA2s and Lys49 PLA2-like enzymes on C2C12 cell lines was decreased, as shown by the higher cell viabilities after preincubation with rBaltMIP. Heterologous expression would enable large-scale obtainment of rBaltMIP, thus allowing further investigations for the elucidation of possible mechanisms of inhibition of snake PLA2s, which have not yet been fully clarified.

Proteomic Analysis of the Ontogenetic Variability in Plasma Composition of Juvenile and Adult Bothrops jararaca Snakes

The ontogenetic variability in venom composition of some snake genera, including Bothrops, as well as the biological implications of such variability and the search of new molecules that can neutralize the toxic components of these venoms have been the subject of many studies. Thus, considering the resistance of Bothrops jararaca to the toxic action of its own venom and the ontogenetic variability in venom composition described in this species, a comparative study of the plasma composition of juvenile and adult B. jararaca snakes was performed through a proteomic approach based on 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, which allowed the identification of proteins that might be present at different levels during ontogenetic development. Among the proteins identified by mass spectrometry, antihemorrhagic factor Bj46a was found only in adult plasma. Moreover, two spots identified as phospholipase A₂ inhibitors were significantly increased in juvenile plasma, which can be related to the higher catalytic PLA₂ activity shown by juvenile venom in comparison to that of adult snakes. This work shows the ontogenetic variability of B. jararaca plasma, and that these changes can be related to the ontogenetic variability described in its venom.

Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a myotoxin inhibitor from Bothrops alternatus snake plasma

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)s) are important components of Bothrops snake venoms, that can induce several effects on envenomations such as myotoxicity, inhibition or induction of platelet aggregation and edema. It is known that venomous and non-venomous snakes present PLA(2) inhibitory proteins (PLIs) in their blood plasma. An inhibitory protein that neutralizes the enzymatic and toxic activities of several PLA(2)s from Bothrops venoms was isolated from Bothrops alternatus snake plasma by affinity chromatography using the immobilized myotoxin BthTX-I on CNBr-activated Sepharose. Biochemical characterization of this inhibitory protein, denominated αBaltMIP, showed it to be a glycoprotein with Mr of ~24,000 for the monomeric subunit. CD spectra of the PLA(2)/inhibitor complexes are considerably different from those corresponding to the individual proteins and data deconvolution suggests that the complexes had a relative gain of helical structure elements in comparison to the individual protomers, which may indicate a more compact structure upon complexation. Theoretical and experimental structural studies performed in order to obtain insights into the structural features of αBaltMIP indicated that this molecule may potentially trimerize in solution, thus strengthening the hypothesis previously raised by other authors about snake PLIs oligomerization.

Inhibitory activities of the heterotrimers formed from two α-type phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins with different enzyme affinities and importance of the intersubunit electrostatic interaction in trimer formation

α-type phospholipase A2 inhibitory protein (PLIα) isolated from the serum of the venomous snake Glyoidius brevicaudus, GbPLIα, is a homotrimer of subunits having a C-type lectin-like domain. The serum protein from nonvenomous snake Elaphe quadrivirgata, EqPLIα-LP, is homologous to GbPLIα, but it does not show any inhibitory activity against PLA2s. When a mixture of denaturant-treated monomeric forms of GbPLIα and EqPLIα-LP was used to reconstitute their trimers, no significant amounts of heterotrimers composed of GbPLIα and EqPLIα-LP subunits could be formed. On the other hand, when a mixture of denaturant-treated monomeric forms of GbPLIα and the recombinant chimeric EqPLIα-LP, Eq13Gb37Eq, in which the residues 13-36 were replaced by those of GbPLIα, was used to reconstitute their trimers, significant amounts of their heterotrimers were observed. Furthermore, when a mixture of denaturant-treated monomeric forms of EqPLIα-LP and the recombinant chimeric GbPLIα, Gb13Eq37Gb, in which the residues 13-36 were replaced by those of EqPLIα-LP, was used, significant amounts of their heterotrimers were observed. By comparison of the respective inhibitory activities of the heterotrimeric subspecies, it was suggested that the inhibitory activity of the trimer was governed by one subunit with the highest activity, and not affected by the number of these subunits. The intermolecular electrostatic interactions between Glu23 and Lys28 of GbPLIα were also suggested to be important in stabilizing the trimeric structure. The importance of the electrostatic interaction was supported by the less stability of the homotrimeric structure of a mutant GbPLIα with a single amino acid substitution, GbPLIα(K28E).

Identification and characterization of phospholipase A2 inhibitors from the serum of the Japanese rat snake, Elaphe climacophora

Two distinct phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitory proteins (PLIs) were purified from the serum of the Japanese rat snake, Elaphe climacophora. The 150-kDa inhibitor, a trimer of a 50-kDa subunit, specifically inhibited the basic PLA2 purified from the venom of Gloydius brevicaudus, whereas the 120-kDa one composed of two distinct 25-kDa subunits. A and B, inhibited both the acidic and basic PLA2s of G. brevicaudus. On the basis of their amino acid sequences, these inhibitors were assigned as PLI beta and PLI gamma, respectively. A PLI alpha homolog (PLI alpha-like protein; PLI alpha-LP) having an apparent molecular weight of 50-kDa and composed of 15-kDa subunits was also purified from the E. climacophora serum. This homolog was immunoreactive with antibody raised against the G. brevicaudus PLI alpha, but lacked in the inhibitory activity toward the acidic and basic PLA2s. The cDNAs encoding PLI alpha-LP, PLI beta, PLI gamma-A, and PLI gamma-B were cloned from liver RNA, and their nucleotide sequences were compared with those of other venomous and non-venomous snakes.

An alpha-type phospholipase A(2) inhibitor from Bothrops jararacussu snake plasma: structural and functional characterization

An inhibitory protein that neutralizes the enzymatic, toxic and pharmacological activities of several phospholipases A(2) from Bothrops venoms was isolated from B. jararacussu snake plasma by affinity chromatography using the immobilized myotoxin BthTX-I on Sepharose gel. Biochemical characterization of this inhibitory protein, denominated alphaBjussuMIP, showed it to be an oligomeric glycoprotein with M(r) of 24,000 for the monomeric subunit. Secondary structural analysis by circular dichroism revealed 44% alpha-helix, 18% beta-sheet, 10% beta-turn and 28% random coil structures. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated that no significant alterations in the secondary structure of either alphaBjussuMIP or the target protein occur following their interaction. The product from the reaction with reverse transcriptase produced a cDNA fragment of 432 bp that codifies for a mature protein of 144 amino acid residues. The first 21 amino acid residues from the N-terminal and five tryptic peptides were characterized by mass spectrometry of the mature protein and confirmed by the nucleotide sequence. Alignment of alphaBjussuMIP with other snake inhibitors showed a sequence similarity of 73-92% with these alphaPLIs. alphaBjussuMIP was relatively stable within the pH range of 6-12 and temperatures from 0 degrees C to 80 degrees C, even after deglycosylation. The results showed effects against Bothrops phospholipase A(2) activities (enzymatic, edema inducing, myotoxic, cytotoxic and bactericidal), suggesting that alphaBjussuMIP may prove useful in the treatment of snakebite envenomations.

Subunit structure and inhibition specificity of alpha-type phospholipase A2 inhibitor from Protobothrops flavoviridis

The alpha-type phospholipase A2 inhibitor (PLIalpha) in the plasma of the Habu snake, Protobothrop flavoviridis, was shown to be a trimer of two homologous subunits, PLIalpha-A and PLIalpha-B, each of which contains one C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD). Since one molecule of trimeric PLIalpha binds stoichiometrically to one molecule of P. flavoviridis acidic phospholipase A2 (PLA2), the trimeric structure is critical for its inhibitory activity. Hydrophobic chromatography separated the purified P. flavoviridis PLIalpha into four different trimeric subspecies, A3-PLIalpha, A2B-PLIalpha, AB2-PLIalpha, and B3-PLIalpha, with different combinations of the two subunits. The trimeric PLIalpha could be reconstituted from the purified subunits, and the four different trimeric subspecies were formed through random association of the two subunits. The inhibitory activity of the PLIalpha-A homotrimer (A3-PLIalpha) was more specific than that of the PLIalpha-B homotrimer (B3-PLIalpha). This difference in inhibitory properties between the two homotrimers was probably caused by the amino acid differences at residues 10-37.

The first phospholipase inhibitor from the serum of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes

Ammodytoxins are neurotoxic secretory phospholipase A(2) molecules, some of the most toxic components of the long-nosed viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes) venom. Envenomation by this and by closely related vipers is quite frequent in southern parts of Europe and serotherapy is used in the most severe cases. Because of occasional complications, alternative medical treatment of envenomation is needed. In the present study, ammodytoxin inhibitor was purified from the serum of V. a. ammodytes using two affinity procedures and a gel exclusion chromatography step. The ammodytoxin inhibitor from V. a. ammodytes serum consists of 23- and 25-kDa glycoproteins that form an oligomer, probably a tetramer, of about 100 kDa. N-terminal sequencing and immunological analysis revealed that both types of subunit are very similar to gamma-type secretory phospholipase A(2) inhibitors. The ammodytoxin inhibitor from V. a. ammodytes serum is a potent inhibitor of phospholipase activity and hence probably also the neurotoxicity of ammodytoxins. Discovery of the novel natural inhibitor of these potent secretory phospholipase A(2) toxins opens up prospects for the development of new types of small peptide inhibitors for use in regulating the physiological and pathological activities of secretory phospholipases A(2).

Isolation, characterization and molecular cloning of AnMIP, a new alpha-type phospholipase A2 myotoxin inhibitor from the plasma of the snake Atropoides nummifer (Viperidae: Crotalinae)

A new phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))-inhibitory protein was isolated from the plasma of Atropoides nummifer, a crotaline snake from Central America. This inhibitor was named AnMIP, given its ability to neutralize the activity of basic PLA(2) myotoxins of its own and related venoms. The cDNA of AnMIP was cloned and sequenced, showing that it belongs to the alpha group of phospholipase A(2) inhibitors (PLIs). AnMIP appears as a homotrimer in the native state, held together by non-covalent forces, with a subunit molecular mass of 22,247-22,301 and an isoelectric point of 4.1-4.7. This trimeric structure is the first observed in a PLIalpha from American crotaline snakes, previously reported only in Asian species. Sequencing, mass spectrometry, and analytical isoelectrofocusing indicated the existence of isoforms, as reported for other PLIalphas isolated from snake plasma. The inhibitory profile of AnMIP showed specificity towards group II PLA(2)s, either belonging to the catalytically-active (D49) or -inactive (K49) subtypes, exemplified in this study by Bothrops asper myotoxin I and A. nummifer myotoxin II, respectively. By phylogenetic analysis it was shown that AnMIP is closely related to CgMIP-II, previously isolated from the plasma of Cerrophidion godmani, showing 93% amino acid sequence identity.

Purification of a post-synaptic neurotoxic phospholipase A2 from Naja naja venom and its inhibition by a glycoprotein from Withania somnifera

A post-synaptic neurotoxic phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) has been purified from Indian cobra Naja naja venom. It was associated with a peptide in the venom. The association was disrupted using 8 M urea. It is denoted to be a basic protein by its behavior on both ion exchange chromatography and electrophoresis. It is toxic to mice, LD(50) 1.9 mg/kg body weight (ip). It is proved to be post-synaptic PLA(2) by chymographic experiment using frog nerve-muscle preparation. A glycoprotein, (WSG) was isolated from a folk medicinal plant Withania somnifera. The WSG inhibited the phospholipase A(2) activity of NN-XIa-PLA(2,) isolated from the cobra venom, completely at a mole-to-mole ratio of 1:2 (NN-XIa-PLA(2): WSG) but failed to neutralize the toxicity of the molecule. However, it reduced the toxicity as well as prolonged the death time of the experimental mice approximately 10 times when compared to venom alone. The WSG also inhibited several other PLA(2) isoforms from the venom to varying extent. The interaction of the WSG with the PLA(2) is confirmed by fluorescence quenching and gel-permeation chromatography. Chemical modification of the active histidine residue of PLA(2) using p-brophenacyl bromide resulted in the loss of both catalytic activity as well as neurotoxicity of the molecule. These findings suggest that the venom PLA(2) has multiple sites on it; perhaps some of them are overlapping. Application of the plant extract on snakebite wound confirms the medicinal value associated with the plant.

Mapping the Region of the α-Type Phospholipase A2 Inhibitor Responsible for Its Inhibitory Activity

alpha-Type phospholipase A(2) inhibitory protein (PLIalpha) from the serum of the venomous snake Gloydius brevicaudus, GbPLIalpha,isone of the protective endogenous proteins that neutralizes its own venom phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), and it is a homotrimer of subunits having a C-type lectin-like domain. The nonvenomous snake Elaphe quadrivirgata has a homologous serum protein, EqPLIalpha-LP, that does not show any inhibitory activity against various snake venom PLA(2)s (Okumura, K., Inoue, S., Ikeda, K., and Hayashi, K. (2003) IUBMB Life 55, 539-545). By constructing GbPLIalpha-Eq- PLIalpha-LP chimeric proteins, we have mapped the residues important in conferring GbPLIalpha inhibitory activity on region 13-36 in the primary structure of GbPLIalpha. Noninhibitory EqPLIalpha-LP showed comparable inhibitory activity only when this region was replaced with that of GbPLIalpha. Further, mutational analysis of the candidate residues revealed that the individual GbPLIalpha to EqPLIalpha-LP residue substitutions N26K, K28E, D29N, and Y144S each produced a mutant GbPLIalpha protein with reduced inhibitory activity, with the single N26K substitution having the most significant effect. Residues 13-36 were suspected to be located in the helical neck region of the GbPLIalpha trimer. Therefore, the region of GbPLIalpha responsible for PLA(2) inhibition was distinct from the carbohydrate-binding site of the homologous C-type lectin.

Toxins in anti-nociception and anti-inflammation

The use of toxins as novel molecular probes to study the structure-function relationship of ion-channels and receptors as well as potential therapeutics in the treatment of wide variety of diseases is well documented. The high specificity and selectivity of these toxins have attracted a great deal of interest as candidates for drug development. This review highlights the involvement of the proteins and peptide toxins as well as non-proteinaceous compounds derived from both venomous and non-venomous animals, in anti-nociception and anti-inflammation. The possible mechanisms of these potential therapeutic agents and possible clinical applications in the treatment of pain and inflammation are also summarized.

Natural phospholipase A(2) myotoxin inhibitor proteins from snakes, mammals and plants

A renewed interest in the phenomenon of inter- and intra-species resistance towards the toxicity of snake venoms, coupled with the search for new strategies for treatment of snake envenomations, has prompted the discovery of proteins which neutralize the major toxic components of these venoms. Among these emerging groups of proteins are inhibitors of toxic phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), many of which exhibit a wide range of toxic effects including muscle-tissue damage, neurotoxicity, and inflammation. These proteins have been isolated from both venomous and non-venomous snakes, mammals, and most recently from medicinal plant extracts. The snake blood-derived inhibitors have been grouped into three major classes, alpha, beta, and gamma, based on common structural motifs found in other proteins with diverse physiological properties. In mammals, DM64, an anti-myotoxic protein isolated from opossum serum, belongs to the immunoglobulin super gene family and is homologous to human alpha1B-glycoprotein and DM43, a metalloproteinase inhibitor from the same organism. In plants, a short note is made of WSG, a newly described anti-toxic-PLA2 glycoprotein isolated from Withania somnifera (Ashwaganda), a medicinal plant whose aqueous extracts neutralize the PLA2 activity of the Naja naja venom. The implications of these new groups of PLA2 toxin inhibitors in the context of our current understanding of snake biology as well as in the development of novel therapeutic reagents in the treatment of snake envenomations worldwide are discussed.

Cyclosporin A attenuates skeletal muscle damage induced by crotoxin in rats

This work was undertaken to determine the role of the calcineurin pathway on the necrosis of skeletal muscle induced by crotoxin, the major component of the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus. Rats were treated with cyclosporin A (CsA), a calcineurin inhibitor, for 5 days and, in the 6th day, received an intramuscular injection of crotoxin into the tibialis anterior muscle. Rats were also treated with diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, for 5 days and, on the 6th day, injected with crotoxin. All treated groups were sacrificed 24 h after injection of crotoxin. Tibialis anterior and soleus muscles were removed, frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. Histological sections were stained with Toluidine Blue and assayed for acid phosphatase. The results show that CsA, but not diclofenac, is able to significantly minimize myonecrosis promoted by crotoxin. In conclusion, CsA attenuates skeletal muscle necrosis induced by crotoxin, indicating that the calcineurin pathway is essential for crotoxin myotoxic activity. The myoprotective effect of CsA is not related to its anti-inflammatory effect since diclofenac, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, was not able to produce myoprotection.

Structural and functional analysis of BmjMIP, a phospholipase A2 myotoxin inhibitor protein from Bothrops moojeni snake plasma

A protein, which neutralizes the enzymatic, toxic, and pharmacological activities of various basic and acidic phospholipases A(2) from the venoms of Bothrops moojeni, Bothrops pirajai, and Bothrops jararacussu, was isolated from B. moojeni snake plasma by affinity chromatography using immobilized myotoxins on Sepharose gel. Biochemical characterization of this myotoxin inhibitor protein (BmjMIP) showed it to be an oligomeric glycoprotein with a M(r) of 23,000-25,000 for the monomeric subunit. BmjMIP was stable in the pH range from 4.0 to 12.0, between 4 and 80 degrees C, even after deglycosylation. The role of the carbohydrate moiety was investigated and found not to affect the in vitro function of the inhibitor. The corresponding 500bp cDNA obtained by RT-PCR from the liver of the snake encodes a mature protein of 166 amino acid residues including a 19 amino acid signal peptide. The primary structure of BmjMIP showed a high similarity with other snake phospholipase A(2) inhibitors (PLIs) in which the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) and the glycosylation site (Asn103) are conserved. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated that no significant alterations in the secondary structure of either the BmjMIP or the target protein occur upon their interaction. BmjMIP has a wide range of inhibitory properties against basic and acidic PLA(2)s from Bothrops venoms (anti-enzymatic, anti-myotoxic, anti-edema inducing, anti-cytotoxic, anti-bactericidal, and anti-lethal). However, the inhibitor showed a reduced ability to neutralize the biological activities of crotoxin B (CB), the PLA(2) homologue associated with crotapotin in Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom. Finally, the purified PLA(2) inhibitor was shown to protect in vivo against the toxic and pharmacological effects of a homologous PLA(2) enzyme, suggesting that PLIs or a corresponding derived peptide may prove useful in the treatment of snakebite victims or, more importantly, in the treatment of the many human diseases in which these enzymes have been implicated.

Purification and characterization of a glycoprotein inhibitor of toxic phospholipase from Withania somnifera

A phospholipase inhibitor (WSG) has been purified from Withania somnifera using gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatographies. The WSG is an acidic glycoprotein. Its molecular mass as determined by SDS-PAGE was 27kDa. It neutralized the enzyme activity and pharmacological properties such as cytotoxicity, edema, and myotoxicity of a multi-toxic Indian cobra venom phospholipase (NNXIa-PLA) but failed to neutralize the neurotoxicity. The glycan part of the molecule does not appear to be involved in any of the pharmacological properties studied. The results suggest that the neutralization of the pharmacological effects of the toxic phospholipase is brought about by inhibition of the enzyme activity by formation of a complex between the WSG and the toxic phospholipase. We report the purification and characterization of a glycoprotein phospholipase A inhibitor from Withania somnifera, medicinal plant.

Functional analysis of DM64, an antimyotoxic protein with immunoglobulin-like structure from Didelphis marsupialis serum

Bothrops snake venoms are known to induce local tissue damage such as hemorrhage and myonecrosis. The opossum Didelphis marsupialis is resistant to these snake venoms and has natural venom inhibitors in its plasma. The aim of this work was to clone and study the chemical, physicochemical and biological properties of DM64, an antimyotoxic protein from opossum serum. DM64 is an acidic protein showing 15% glycosylation and with a molecular mass of 63 659 Da when analysed by MALDI-TOF MS. It was cloned and the amino acid sequence was found to be homologous to DM43, a metalloproteinase inhibitor from D. marsupialis serum, and to human alpha1B-glycoprotein, indicating the presence of five immunoglobulin-like domains. DM64 neutralized both the in vivo myotoxicity and the in vitro cytotoxicity of myotoxins I (mt-I/Asp49) and II (mt-II/Lys49) from Bothrops asper venom. The inhibitor formed noncovalent complexes with both toxins, but did not inhibit the PLA2 activity of mt-I. Accordingly, DM64 did not neutralize the anticoagulant effect of mt-I nor its intracerebroventricular lethality, effects that depend on its enzymatic activity, and which demonstrate the dissociation between the catalytic and toxic activities of this Asp49 myotoxic PLA2. Furthermore, despite its similarity with metalloproteinase inhibitors, DM64 presented no antihemorrhagic activity against Bothrops jararaca or Bothrops asper crude venoms, and did not inhibit the fibrinogenolytic activity of jararhagin or bothrolysin. This is the first report of a myotoxin inhibitor with an immunoglobulin-like structure isolated and characterized from animal blood.

Identification of beta-type phospholipase A(2) inhibitor in a nonvenomous snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata

A novel serum protein inhibiting specifically the enzymatic activity of the basic phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) from the venom of the Chinese mamushi snake (Agkistrodon blomhoffii siniticus) was purified from a nonvenomous Colubridae snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata. The purified inhibitor was a 150-kDa glycoprotein having a trimeric structure, composed of two homologous 50-kDa subunits. Their amino acid sequences, containing leucine-rich repeats, were typical of the beta-type PLA(2) inhibitor (PLIbeta), previously identified from the serum of A. blomhoffii siniticus. The inhibitor inhibited exclusively group II basic PLA(2)s and did not inhibit other kinds of PLA(2)s. This is the first paper reporting the existence of PLIbeta in a nonvenomous snake. The existence of PLIbeta in the nonvenomous snake reflects that PLIbetas are widely distributed over the snake species and participate commonly in regulating the physiological activities of the unidentified target PLA(2)s.

Functional site of endogenous phospholipase A2 inhibitor from python serum

The functional site of 'phospholipase A2 inhibitor from python' (PIP) was predicted based on the hypothesis of proline brackets. Using different sources of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2s) as enzyme, and [3H]arachidonate-labelled Escherichia coli as substrate, short synthetic peptides representing the proposed site were examined for their secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) inhibitory activity. A decapeptide P-PB.III proved to be the most potent of the tested peptides in inhibiting sPLA2 enzymatic activity in vitro, and exhibited striking anti-inflammatory effects in vivo in a mouse paw oedema model. P-PB.III inhibited the enzymatic activity of class I, II and III PLA2s, including that of human synovial fluid from arthritis patients. When tested by ELISA, biotinylated P-PB.III interacted positively with various PLA2s, suggesting that the specific region of PIP corresponding to P-PB.III, is likely to be involved in the PLA2-PLI interaction. The effect of P-PB.III on the peritoneal inflammatory response after surgical trauma in rats was also examined. P-PB.III effectively reduced the extent of postsurgical peritoneal adhesions as compared to controls. sPLA2 levels at seventh postoperative day in the peritoneal tissue of P-PB.III-treated rats were also significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in comparison to those of the untreated controls. The present results shed additional insight on the essential structural elements for PLA2 binding, and may be useful as a basis for the design of novel therapeutic agents.

Inhibitory properties of the anti-bothropic complex from Didelphis albiventris serum on toxic and pharmacological actions of metalloproteases and myotoxins from Bothrops asper venom

Anti-bothropic complex (ABC) was isolated from the serum of the South American opossum (Didelphis albiventris) by single-step affinity chromatography using a Sepharose-immobilized metalloprotease (BaP1) from Bothrops asper as the binding protein. Biochemical characterization of ABC showed the presence of two glycosylated subunits of 43 and 45 kDa, respectively, with an isoelectric point < 4. The two subunits were separated by ion-exchange HPLC. The N-terminal sequences of both subunits (LKAMDPTPXLWIETESP, where X is Arg-9 and Pro-9, respectively) showed a high degree of identity with other serum inhibitors isolated from different marsupials. Functional studies pointed out that ABC inhibits the hemorrhagic and proteolytic activities on fibrin, fibrinogen, and casein induced by the metalloproteases BaP1 and BaH4 isolated from B. asper venom. In addition to the anti-hemorrhagic and anti-proteolytic activities, ABC also showed anti-myotoxic, anti-lethal, and anti-edematogenic effects against myotoxic phospholipases A(2) isolated from the same venom. Moreover, it had inhibitory effects on the phospholipase A(2) activity of the crude venom as well as the isolated venom phospholipases A(2).

Sequencing and two-dimensional structure prediction of a phospholipase A(2) inhibitor from the serum of the common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus)

A phospholipase A(2) inhibitor has been identified in the serum of the common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus). The inhibitor is composed of two chains, an alpha-chain and a beta-chain, that form a non-covalently associated complex capable of inhibiting the enzymatic activity of all phospholipase A(2) enzymes it was tested against. The alpha and beta-chains have been purified to homogeneity, digested and sequenced. From the peptide sequence generated, degenerate PCR primers were designed and used to elucidate the complete cDNA sequence of the chains using 5' and 3' RACE PCR. A total of three alpha-chain isoforms were identified, only one isoform of the beta-chain was detected. The two-dimensional structure of the three alpha-chains and one beta-chain were predicted using five prediction programs (discrimination of secondary structure class; nearest neighbour secondary structure, profile network from Heidelberg; self-optimised prediction method from multiple alignment, SSPAL). For each protein chain a consensus prediction was generated. Results are discussed in relation to the function of the protein, and how they may influence the three-dimensional structure of the inhibitor. Additionally, the sequences of several snake phospholipase A(2) inhibitors were used as the input for a motif prediction algorithm (MEME). The results are discussed in relation to the activity of these proteins.

Snake inhibitors of phospholipase A(2) enzymes

Phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) enzymes consist of a large family of proteins which share the same enzymatic function and display considerable sequence homology. These enzymes have been identified and characterised in mammalian tissue and snake venoms. Numerous physiological functions have been attributed to mammalian PLA(2)s and they are nontoxic. In comparison, venom PLA(2)s are toxic and induce a variety of pharmacological effects that are probably mediated via membrane receptors. Snake PLA(2) inhibitors (PLIalpha), with a similar structure to the M-type receptor, have been identified as soluble complexes in the serum of viperinae and crotalinae snakes. These inhibitors showed selective binding to crotalid group II PLA(2)s and appeared to be restricted to the serum of this snake family. Analysis of PLA(2) binding to recombinant fragments of PLIalpha indicated that the CRD region was most likely responsible for enzyme inhibition. A second type of inhibitor, PLIbeta, has been identified in serum from one viperid snake and consists of a leucine-rich structure. The third type of inhibitor, PLIgamma, was found in the serum of five snake families and contains a pattern of cysteine residues that define a three-finger structure. PLIgamma inhibitors isolated from the serum of Elapidae, Hydrophidae, Boidae and Colubridae families were able to inhibit a broad range of enzymes including the nontoxic mammalian group IB and IIA PLA(2)s, and bee venom group III PLA(2). However, differences in the binding affinities indicated specificity for particular PLA(2)s. A different representation has emerged for crotalid and viperid snakes. Their PLIgammas did not inhibit bee venom group III, mammalian group IB and IIA enzymes. Furthermore, inhibition data for the gamma-type inhibitor from Crotalus durissus terrificus (CICS) showed that this inhibitor was specific for viperid beta-neurotoxins and did not inhibit beta-neurotoxins from elapids [1]. Further studies are required to determine if this phenomenon is true for all gamma-type inhibitors from Crotalidae snakes. The relative distribution of these inhibitors, their specificities and the structural features involved in binding are discussed in this review.

Systemic skeletal muscle necrosis induced by crotoxin

Systemic skeletal muscle necrosis induced by crotoxin, the major component of the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus, was investigated. Mice received an intramuscular injection of crotoxin (0.35mg/kg body weight) into the right tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, which were evaluated 3h, 24h and 3 days later. Control mice were injected with saline. Right and left TAs, gastrocnemius, soleus and right masseter and longissimus dorsi were removed and frozen. Histological sections were stained with Toluidine Blue or incubated for acidic phosphatase reaction. Three and 24h after the injection, signals of muscle fiber injury were found: (a) in the injected TA muscles; (b) in both right and contralateral soleus and red gastrocnemius; and (c) in the masseter muscles. Contralateral TA, longissimus dorsi and white gastrocnemius muscles were not injured. In conclusion, crotoxin induced a systemic and selective muscle injury in muscles or muscle regions composed by oxidative muscle fibers.

Immunochemical properties of the N-terminal helix of myotoxin II, a lysine-49 phospholipase A(2) from Bothrops asper snake venom

Myotoxic class II phospholipases A(2) from snake venoms can be divided into Asp49 and Lys49 types. The latter, including Bothrops asper myotoxin II, exert membrane damage despite lacking catalytic activity. A heparin-binding, hydrophobic/cationic region, near the C-terminus of myotoxin II (115-129) has been shown to be relevant in its membrane-damaging actions. However, some observations suggest also a potential participation of its N-terminal region. An immunochemical approach was utilized to examine the properties and possible role in toxicity of the N-terminal helix of myotoxin II. Rabbit antibodies raised to a synthetic peptide comprising residues 1-15 recognized the native protein. These antibodies were utilized to compare the antigenic characteristics of the N-terminal helix of several myotoxic phospholipases A(2), showing generally stronger binding to Lys49 myotoxins, in comparison to Asp49 counterparts. However, three Lys49 myotoxins (Cerrophidion godmani myotoxin II, Atropoides nummifer myotoxin II, and Trimeresurus flavoviridis basic protein I) were not recognized by the antibodies, revealing a significant antigenic variability of the N-terminal region within this group of toxins. In neutralization experiments, pre-incubation of myotoxin II with affinity-purified antibodies to the N-terminal helix did not inhibit its myotoxic activity in mice, nor its cytotoxic effect upon cultured muscle cells. These findings argue against a critical role of the N-terminal region of this protein in toxicity. Thus, the precise role of the N-terminal helix of myotoxin II and related Lys49 phospholipases A(2), regarding their toxic mechanisms, remains controversial, and requires further experimental study to be clarified.

Increasing molecular diversity of secreted phospholipases A(2) and their receptors and binding proteins

Secreted phospholipases A(2) (sPLA(2)s) form a large family of structurally related enzymes which are widespread in nature. Snake venoms are known for decades to contain a tremendous molecular diversity of sPLA(2)s which can exert a myriad of toxic and pharmacological effects. Recent studies indicate that mammalian cells also express a variety of sPLA(2)s with ten distinct members identified so far, in addition to the various other intracellular PLA(2)s. Furthermore, scanning of nucleic acid databases fueled by the different genome projects indicates that several sPLA(2)s are also present in invertebrate animals like Drosophila melanogaster as well as in plants. All of these sPLA(2)s catalyze the hydrolysis of glycerophospholipids at the sn-2 position to release free fatty acids and lysophospholipids, and thus could be important for the biosynthesis of biologically active lipid mediators. However, the recent identification of a variety of membrane and soluble proteins that bind to sPLA(2)s suggests that the sPLA(2) enzymes could also function as high affinity ligands. So far, most of the binding data have been accumulated with venom sPLA(2)s and group IB and IIA mammalian sPLA(2)s. Collectively, venom sPLA(2)s have been shown to bind to membrane and soluble mammalian proteins of the C-type lectin superfamily (M-type sPLA(2) receptor and lung surfactant proteins), to pentraxin and reticulocalbin proteins, to factor Xa and to N-type receptors. Venom sPLA(2)s also associate with three distinct types of sPLA(2) inhibitors purified from snake serum that belong to the C-type lectin superfamily, to the three-finger protein superfamily and to proteins containing leucine-rich repeats. On the other hand, mammalian group IB and IIA sPLA(2)s can bind to the M-type receptor, and group IIA sPLA(2)s can associate with lung surfactant proteins, factor Xa and proteoglycans including glypican and decorin, a mammalian protein containing a leucine-rich repeat.

Recombinant antitoxic and antiinflammatory factor from the nonvenomous snake Python reticulatus: phospholipase A2 inhibition and venom neutralizing potential

From the serum of the nonvenomous snake Python reticulatus, a new phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) inhibitor termed phospholipase inhibitor from python (PIP) was purified by sequential chromatography and cloned to elucidate its primary structure and fundamental biochemical characteristics. A cDNA clone encoding PIP was isolated from the liver total RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It contained a 603 bp open reading frame that encoded a 19-residue signal sequence and a 182-residue protein. PIP showed about 60% sequence homology with those PLA(2) inhibitors having a urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor-like domain structure. PIP was also functionally expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli to explore its potential therapeutic significance. The recombinant PIP was shown to be identical to the native form in chromatographic behavior and biochemical characteristics. Both the native and recombinant PIP appear to exist as a hexamer of 23-kDa subunits having an apparent molecular mass of approximately 140 kDa. PIP showed ability to bind to the major PLA(2) toxin (daboiatoxin, DbTx) of Daboia russelli siamensis at 1-2-fold molar excess of inhibitor to toxin. It exhibited broad spectra in neutralizing the toxicity of various snake venoms and toxins and inhibited the formation of edema in mice. Our data demonstrate the venom neutralizing potential of the recombinant PIP and suggest that the proline-rich hydrophobic core region may play a role in binding to PLA(2).

Interaction of the neurotoxic and nontoxic secretory phospholipases A2 with the crotoxin inhibitor from Crotalus serum

Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes possess a protein in their blood, named crotoxin inhibitor from Crotalus serum (CICS), which protects them against crotoxin, the main toxin of their venom. CICS neutralizes the lethal potency of crotoxin and inhibits its phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity. The aim of the present study is to investigate the specificity of CICS towards snake venom neurotoxic PLA2s (beta-neurotoxins) and nontoxic mammalian PLA2s. This investigation shows that CICS does not affect the enzymatic activity of pancreatic and nonpancreatic PLA2s, bee venom PLA2 and Elapidae beta-neurotoxins but strongly inhibits the PLA2 activity of Viperidae beta-neurotoxins. Surface plasmon resonance and PAGE studies further demonstrated that CICS makes complexes with monomeric and multimeric Viperidae beta-neurotoxins but does not interact with nontoxic PLA2s. In the case of dimeric beta-neurotoxins from Viperidae venoms (crotoxin, Mojave toxin and CbICbII), which are made by the noncovalent association of a PLA2 with a nonenzymatic subunit, CICS does not react with the noncatalytic subunit, instead it binds tightly to the PLA2 subunit and induces the dissociation of the heterocomplex. In vitro assays performed with Torpedo synaptosomes showed a protective action of CICS against Viperidae beta-neurotoxins but not against other PLA2 neurotoxins, on primary and evoked liberation of acetylcholine. In conclusion, CICS is a specific PLA2 inhibitor of the beta-neurotoxins from the Viperidae family.

Two phospholipase A2 inhibitors from the plasma of Cerrophidion (Bothrops) godmani which selectively inhibit two different group-II phospholipase A2 myotoxins from its own venom: isolation, molecular cloning and biological properties

Myotoxic phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)s; group II) account for most of the muscle-tissue damage that results from envenomation by viperid snakes. In the venom of the Godman's viper (Cerrophidion godmani, formerly Bothrops godmani), an enzymically active PLA(2) (myotoxin I) and an inactive, Lys-49 variant (myotoxin II) induce extensive muscle damage and oedema. In this study, two distinct myotoxin inhibitor proteins of C. godmani, CgMIP-I and CgMIP-II, were purified directly from blood plasma by selective binding to affinity columns containing either myotoxin I or myotoxin II, respectively. Both proteins are glycosylated, acidic (pI=4) and composed of 20-25-kDa subunits that form oligomers of 110 kDa (CgMIP-I) or 180 kDa (CgMIP-II). In inhibition studies, CgMIP-I specifically neutralized the PLA(2) and the myotoxic, oedema-forming and cytolytic activities of myotoxins I, whereas CgMIP-II selectively inhibited the toxic properties of myotoxin II. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis and sequencing of cDNAs encoding the two inhibitors revealed that CgMIP-I is similar to gamma-type inhibitors, which share a pattern of cysteine residues present in the Ly-6 superfamily of proteins, whereas CgMIP-II shares sequence identity with alpha-type inhibitors that contain carbohydrate-recognition-like domains, also found in C-type lectins and mammalian PLA(2) receptors. N-terminal sequencing of myotoxin I revealed a different primary structure from myotoxin II [De Sousa, Morhy, Arni, Ward, Díaz and Gutiérrez (1998) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1384, 204-208], which provides insight into the nature of such pharmacological specificity.

Purification and inhibitory profile of phospholipase A2 inhibitors from Australian elapid sera

Although the resistance of snakes to their own venom is well known, until now no investigators have examined the serum of Australian snakes. Here we describe the identification and purification of a range of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) inhibitors from the serum of Australian elapids. All PLA(2) inhibitors were composed of two protein chains, an alpha-chain and a beta-chain. The alpha-chains were approx. 22.5 kDa in size and variably glycosylated, whereas the beta-chains were approx. 19.8 kDa in size and not glycosylated. Identification of isoforms of the two subunit chains was significant because three of the six sera examined were from single snake specimens. In addition, the glycosylation patterns of the alpha-chains were thoroughly investigated in these unpooled sera. The functional and structural properties of the purified inhibitors were studied. Uniquely, a snake PLA(2) inhibitor was found to inhibit human type II PLA(2) enzyme, which has implications for the treatment of the many diseases in which PLA(2) enzymes have been implicated. Further, we demonstrate that the inhibitor forms a non-covalent association with a purified PLA(2) enzyme. Finally, the purified PLA(2) inhibitor was shown to protect in vivo against the lethal affects of a homologous PLA(2) enzyme, suggesting a role for PLA(2) inhibitors in the treatment of snake bite victims.