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Sassoè M. Envenomation by Vipera aspis in Piedmont (Italy): A report of three cases, including one case with neurological symptoms. Toxicon 2023; 230:107154. [PMID: 37169267 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107154] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This report describes three cases of human envenomation by the asp viper (Vipera aspis) in Piedmont, north-west Italy. A woman was bitten on the ankle while she was hiking and two herpetologists received bites on the hand while they were manipulating the animals. In the first case, the victim presented severe systemic symptoms (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea) that required treatment with two vials of antivenom and hospitalization for one week. In the second case, the patient manifested neurological symptoms (blepharoptosis, ophtalmoplegia); he was treated with antivenom and discharged after five days. In the third case, the patient was bitten by a juvenile viper and showed only local symptoms (edema and bruising). All patients reported prolonged functional impairment after discharge from hospital. Although uncommon, envenomation by Vipera aspis can cause severe consequences that require immediate management and antivenom administration. These cases highlight the importance of obtaining better knowledge of the intraspecific variability of venoms and its clinical significance, as well as of the factors that determine the severity of snakebite injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Sassoè
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Torino, C.so Massimo d'Azeglio, 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.
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2
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Siigur J, Siigur E. Biochemistry and toxicology of proteins and peptides purified from the venom of Vipera berus berus. Toxicon X 2022; 15:100131. [PMID: 35769869 PMCID: PMC9234072 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The isolation and characterization of individual snake venom components is important for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of envenomation and for improving the therapeutic procedures of patients. It also opens possibilities for the discovery of novel toxins that might be useful as tools for understanding cellular and molecular processes. The variable venom composition, toxicological and immunological properties of the common vipers (Vipera berus berus) have been reviewed. The combination of venom gland transcriptomics, bottom-up and top-down proteomics enabled comparison of common viper venom proteomes from multiple individuals. V. b. berus venom contains proteins and peptides belonging to 10–15 toxin families: snake venom metalloproteinase, phospholipases A2 (PLA2), snake venom serine proteinase, aspartic protease, L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO), hyaluronidase, 5′-nucleotidase, glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase, disintegrin, C-type lectin (snaclec), nerve growth factor, Kunitz type serine protease inhibitor, snake venom vascular endothelial growth factor, cysteine-rich secretory protein, bradykinin potentiating peptide, natriuretic peptides. PLA2 and LAAO from V. b. berus venom produce more pronounced cytotoxic effects in cancer cells than normal cells, via induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and suppression of proliferation. Proteomic data of V. b. berus venoms from different parts of Russia and Slovakian Republic have been compared with analogous data for Vipera nikolskii venom. Proteomic studies demonstrated quantitative differences in the composition of V. b. berus venom from different geographical regions. Differences in the venom composition of V. berus were mainly driven by the age, sex, habitat and diet of the snakes. The venom variability of V. berus results in a loss of antivenom efficacy against snakebites. The effectiveness of antibodies is discussed. This review presents an overview with a special focus on different toxins that have been isolated and characterized from the venoms of V. b. berus. Their main biochemical properties and toxic actions are described. Vipera berus berus venom composition is variable among different populations. Venom contains about 15 protein/peptide families. It disturbs blood coagulation inducing pro- or anticoagulant effects. Venom contains different types of blood factor X activators. PLA2 and L-amino acid oxidase produce cytotoxic effects in cancer cells.
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Robinson R, Bates N, Bolton F, Robinson N. Neurological deficits after confirmed adder bite in a cat. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2018-000635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Bates
- Veterinary Poisons Information ServiceMedical Toxicology and Information ServicesLondonUK
| | - Fiona Bolton
- R&D UnitMicroPharmNewcastle EmlynUK
- Alistair Reid Venom Research UnitLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
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Malina T, Krecsák L, Westerström A, Szemán-Nagy G, Gyémánt G, M-Hamvas M, Rowan EG, Harvey AL, Warrell DA, Pál B, Rusznák Z, Vasas G. Individual variability of venom from the European adder (Vipera berus berus) from one locality in Eastern Hungary. Toxicon 2017; 135:59-70. [PMID: 28602828 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We have revealed intra-population variability among venom samples from several individual European adders (Vipera berus berus) within a defined population in Eastern Hungary. Individual differences in venom pattern were noticed, both gender-specific and age-related, by one-dimensional electrophoresis. Gelatin zymography demonstrated that these individual venoms have different degradation profiles indicating varying protease activity in the specimens from adders of different ages and genders. Some specimens shared a conserved region of substrate degradation, while others had lower or extremely low protease activity. Phospholipase A2 activity of venoms was similar but not identical. Interspecimen diversity of the venom phospholipase A2-spectra (based on the components' molecular masses) was detected by MALDI-TOF MS. The lethal toxicity of venoms (LD50) also showed differences among individual snakes. Extracted venom samples had varying neuromuscular paralysing effect on chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparations. The paralysing effect of venom was lost when calcium in the physiological salt solution was replaced by strontium; indicating that the block of twitch responses to nerve stimulation is associated with the activity of a phospholipase-dependent neurotoxin. In contrast to the studied V. b. berus venoms from different geographical regions so far, this is the first V. b. berus population discovered to have predominantly neurotoxic neuromuscular activity. The relevance of varying venom yields is also discussed. This study demonstrates that individual venom variation among V. b. berus living in particular area of Eastern Hungary might contribute to a wider range of clinical manifestations of V. b. berus envenoming than elsewhere in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Malina
- Pfizer Hungary Ltd., Medical Division, Alkotás u. 53, H-1123, Budapest, Hungary.
| | | | - Alexander Westerström
- Stockholm University, Alba Nova University Centre, Department of Physics, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gábor Szemán-Nagy
- University of Debrecen, Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, P.O. Box 63. H-4010, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gyöngyi Gyémánt
- University of Debrecen, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Egyetem tér 1, H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Márta M-Hamvas
- University of Debrecen, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science and Technology, Egyetem tér 1, H-4010, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Edward G Rowan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Alan L Harvey
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - David A Warrell
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Balázs Pál
- University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Nagyerdei Krt. 98, H-4012, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Rusznák
- University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Nagyerdei Krt. 98, H-4012, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gábor Vasas
- University of Debrecen, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science and Technology, Egyetem tér 1, H-4010, Debrecen, Hungary; CETOX - Analytical and Toxicological Research and Consultant Ltd., Egyetem tér 1, H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary
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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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Zancolli G, Baker TG, Barlow A, Bradley RK, Calvete JJ, Carter KC, de Jager K, Owens JB, Price JF, Sanz L, Scholes-Higham A, Shier L, Wood L, Wüster CE, Wüster W. Is Hybridization a Source of Adaptive Venom Variation in Rattlesnakes? A Test, Using a Crotalus scutulatus × viridis Hybrid Zone in Southwestern New Mexico. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8060188. [PMID: 27322321 PMCID: PMC4926154 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8060188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Venomous snakes often display extensive variation in venom composition both between and within species. However, the mechanisms underlying the distribution of different toxins and venom types among populations and taxa remain insufficiently known. Rattlesnakes (Crotalus, Sistrurus) display extreme inter- and intraspecific variation in venom composition, centered particularly on the presence or absence of presynaptically neurotoxic phospholipases A₂ such as Mojave toxin (MTX). Interspecific hybridization has been invoked as a mechanism to explain the distribution of these toxins across rattlesnakes, with the implicit assumption that they are adaptively advantageous. Here, we test the potential of adaptive hybridization as a mechanism for venom evolution by assessing the distribution of genes encoding the acidic and basic subunits of Mojave toxin across a hybrid zone between MTX-positive Crotalus scutulatus and MTX-negative C. viridis in southwestern New Mexico, USA. Analyses of morphology, mitochondrial and single copy-nuclear genes document extensive admixture within a narrow hybrid zone. The genes encoding the two MTX subunits are strictly linked, and found in most hybrids and backcrossed individuals, but not in C. viridis away from the hybrid zone. Presence of the genes is invariably associated with presence of the corresponding toxin in the venom. We conclude that introgression of highly lethal neurotoxins through hybridization is not necessarily favored by natural selection in rattlesnakes, and that even extensive hybridization may not lead to introgression of these genes into another species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Zancolli
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Timothy G Baker
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Axel Barlow
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
- Evolutionary and Adaptive Genomics Group, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 29, 14476 Potsdam (Golm), Germany.
| | - Rebecca K Bradley
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Venomics and Structural Proteomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Jaume Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Kimberley C Carter
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Kaylah de Jager
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - John Benjamin Owens
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Jenny Forrester Price
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Libia Sanz
- Venomics and Structural Proteomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Jaume Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Amy Scholes-Higham
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Liam Shier
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Liam Wood
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Catharine E Wüster
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Wolfgang Wüster
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
- Chiricahua Desert Museum, P.O. Box 376, Rodeo, NM 88056, USA.
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Zinenko O, Sovic M, Joger U, Gibbs HL. Hybrid origin of European Vipers (Vipera magnifica and Vipera orlovi) from the Caucasus determined using genomic scale DNA markers. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:76. [PMID: 27068498 PMCID: PMC4828770 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0647-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studying patterns of introgression can illuminate the role of hybridization in speciation, and help guide decisions relevant to the conservation of rare taxa. Vipera magnifica and Vipera orlovi are small vipers that have high conservation status due to their rarity and restricted distributions in an area of the Caucasus region where two other related species are present – V. kaznakovi and V. renardi. Despite numerous observations of hybridization between different species of small vipers, and the potential of a hybrid origin for V. magnifica and V. orlovi based on their distribution with respect to V. kaznakovi and V. renardi, hypotheses of a hybrid origin have not been formally tested. Here we generate genomic-scale data by performing next generation sequencing of double digest restriction-site associated DNA libraries, and use these multilocus data to test whether these two species are of hybrid origin. Results We generated over nine hundred loci for 38 specimens of six taxa, and analysed the dataset using Bayesian clustering and multivariate methods, as well as Patterson D-statistics, which can distinguish between incomplete lineage sorting and introgression as explanations for shared polymorphism. The results demonstrate a pattern of historical admixture in the two purported hybrids that is consistent with past gene flow from V. renardi into V. kaznakovi. The average admixture proportion in individuals was low (6.39 %) in the case of V. magnifica, but was higher in V. orlovi (19.02 %). We also show that the specific individual samples used in D-statistic tests can have a significant impact on inferences regarding the magnitude of introgression, suggesting the importance of including multiple individuals in these analyses. Conclusions Our results support the conclusion that both V. orlovi and V. magnifica had formed through a hybridization event between V. kaznakovi and V. renardi. Given a low proportion of admixture and absence of clear ecological and morphological differences V. magnifica should be treated as a marginal population of V. kaznakovi. Further studies that include analyses of ecological segregation of V. orlovi from parental taxa and search for evolutionary consequences of hybridisation would clarify if V. orlovi is a distinct hybrid species. Until this we recommend preserving the current taxonomy and protection status of V. orlovi. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0647-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Zinenko
- The Museum of Nature at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Trinkler str. 8, Kharkiv, 61058, Ukraine. .,Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Aronoff Laboratory, 318 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Michael Sovic
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Aronoff Laboratory, 318 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, The Ohio State University, Aronoff Laboratory, 318 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Ulrich Joger
- Staatliches Naturhistorisches Museum Braunschweig, Gausstrasse 22, Braunschweig , D-38106, , Germany
| | - H Lisle Gibbs
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Aronoff Laboratory, 318 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, The Ohio State University, Aronoff Laboratory, 318 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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Management of snakebites in France. Toxicon 2012; 60:712-8. [PMID: 22465493 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Revised: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Although not a major health problem in Europe, snakebite in the old continent was the focus of recent studies to evaluate their overall incidence and define management techniques. The purpose of this three-part report is to present the experience of the Marseille Poison Centre with snakebite in France. The first section deals with viper envenomation that now benefits from a validated therapeutic protocol using of purified antivenom of proven efficacy and tolerance in patients showing grade 2 and 3 symptoms. The second section describes the highly variable snakebite situation in French overseas territories that include areas where local species require specialized management, e.g. Martinique and French Guiana. The third section involves the emerging problems associated with the keeping of exotic snakes as pets with problems related to the use of antivenoms from foreign countries. The exotic-snake pets fashion was at the origin of the creation of a national antivenom bank by two French poison centers (Angers and Marseille) to ensure prompt delivery of antivenoms for exotic snake envenomation anywhere in mainland France.
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Križaj I. Ammodytoxin: a window into understanding presynaptic toxicity of secreted phospholipases A(2) and more. Toxicon 2011; 58:219-29. [PMID: 21726572 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2011.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2011] [Revised: 06/10/2011] [Accepted: 06/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Igor Križaj
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Guiavarch M, Médus M, Tichadou L, Glaizal M, de Haro L. [Uneven efficacy of Viperfav® antivenom for the treatment of neurotoxic viper envenomations]. Presse Med 2011; 40:654-6. [PMID: 21397446 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2011.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2010] [Revised: 01/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Tsai IH, Wang YM, Cheng AC, Starkov V, Osipov A, Nikitin I, Makarova Y, Ziganshin R, Utkin Y. cDNA cloning, structural, and functional analyses of venom phospholipases A₂ and a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor from steppe viper Vipera ursinii renardi. Toxicon 2010; 57:332-41. [PMID: 21185324 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2010] [Revised: 11/25/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Snake venom phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂s) display a wide array of biological activities and are each characteristic to the venom. Here, we report on the cDNA cloning and characterization of PLA₂s from the steppe viper Vipera ursinii renardi venom glands. Among the five distinct PLA₂ cDNAs cloned and sequenced, the most common were the clones encoding a basic Ser-49 containing PLA₂ (Vur-S49). Other clones encoded either ammodytin analogs I1, I2d and I2a (designated as Vur-PL1, Vur-PL2 and Vur-PL3, respectively) or an ammodytoxin-like PLA₂ (Vurtoxin). Additionally, a novel Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor for this venom species was cloned and sequenced. Comparison of these PLA₂ and Kunitz inhibitor sequences with those in the sequence data banks suggests that the viper V. u. renardi is closely related to Vipera ammodytes and Vipera aspis. Separation of V. u. renardi venom components by gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography showed the presence of many PLA₂ isoforms. Remarkably, the most abundant PLA₂ isolated was Vur-PL2 while Vur-S49 analog was in very low yield. There are great differences between the proportion of cDNA clones and that of the proteins isolated. Two Vur-PL2 isoforms (designated as Vur-PL2A and Vur-PL2B) indistinguishable by masses, peptide mass fingerprinting, N-terminal sequences and CD spectroscopy were purified from the pooled venom. However, when rechromatographed on cation-exchanger, Vur-PL2A showed only one peak corresponding to Vur-PL2B, suggesting the existence of conformers for Vur-PL2. Vur-PL2B was weakly cytotoxic to rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and showed both strong anticoagulant and anti-platelet activities. This is the first case of a strong anticoagulating ammodytin I analog in Vipera venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inn-Ho Tsai
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, P. O. Box 23-106, Taipei, Taiwan
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Asp Viper (Vipera aspis) envenomation: experience of the Marseille Poison Centre from 1996 to 2008. Toxins (Basel) 2009; 1:100-12. [PMID: 22069534 PMCID: PMC3202779 DOI: 10.3390/toxins1020100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2009] [Revised: 11/18/2009] [Accepted: 11/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED A retrospective case review study of viper envenomations collected by the Marseille's Poison Centre between 1996 and 2008 was performed. RESULTS 174 cases were studied (52 grade 1 = G1, 90 G2 and 32 G3). G1 patients received symptomatic treatments (average hospital stay 0.96 day). One hundred and six (106) of the G2/G3 patients were treated with the antivenom Viperfav* (2.1+/-0.9 days in hospital), while 15 of them received symptomatic treatments only (plus one immediate death) (8.1+/-4 days in hospital, 2 of them died). The hospital stay was significantly reduced in the antivenom treated group (p < 0.001), and none of the 106 antivenom treated patients had immediate (anaphylaxis) or delayed (serum sickness) allergic reactions. CONCLUSION Viperfav* antivenom was safe and effective for treating asp viper venom-induced toxicity.
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14
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Malina T, Krecsak L, Warrell DA. Neurotoxicity and hypertension following European adder (Vipera berus berus) bites in Hungary: case report and review. QJM 2008; 101:801-6. [PMID: 18647797 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcn079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- T Malina
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, University of Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary.
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Ramazanova AS, Zavada LL, Starkov VG, Kovyazina IV, Subbotina TF, Kostyukhina EE, Dementieva IN, Ovchinnikova TV, Utkin YN. Heterodimeric neurotoxic phospholipases A2—The first proteins from venom of recently established species Vipera nikolskii: Implication of venom composition in viper systematics. Toxicon 2008; 51:524-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2007.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2007] [Revised: 11/01/2007] [Accepted: 11/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Jan VM, Guillemin I, Robbe-Vincent A, Choumet V. Phospholipase A2 diversity and polymorphism in European viper venoms: Paradoxical molecular evolution in Viperinae. Toxicon 2007; 50:1140-61. [PMID: 17904178 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2007.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2007] [Revised: 07/30/2007] [Accepted: 07/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We report the diversity and polymorphism of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) transcripts from snakes belonging to nine European viper subspecies. This diversity results in the expression of a combination of six PLA(2) species--ammodytin I1, ammodytin I2, ammodytin L, ammodytoxin, vaspin A and vaspin B--with 19 known isoforms of the first five of these species. Most of the European viper venoms studied contained either a myotoxin or a neurotoxin, and all contained ammodytin I1 and ammodytin I2. There is no evidence that a given pattern of PLA(2) species constitutes a taxonomic criterion, and isoform analysis would be required for such discrimination. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships between PLA(2) species from European vipers and those of other members of the Viperinae revealed a strong correlation between the geographical source of the viper and the clustering seen for the different isoforms, for each PLA(2) species. The K(a)/K(s) values calculated for the mature protein-coding region of paralogous genes showed that ratios for pairs including vaspin B or one ammodytoxin isoform were greater than 1.09, whereas those for most of the remaining pairs were less than 1. Different patterns of mutation were observed in comparisons of the different PLA(2) isoforms. The mechanisms directing a mutation toward a precise exon remain unresolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie M Jan
- Unité des Venins, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
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Ferquel E, de Haro L, Jan V, Guillemin I, Jourdain S, Teynié A, d'Alayer J, Choumet V. Reappraisal of Vipera aspis venom neurotoxicity. PLoS One 2007; 2:e1194. [PMID: 18030329 PMCID: PMC2065900 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2007] [Accepted: 10/17/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The variation of venom composition with geography is an important aspect of intraspecific variability in the Vipera genus, although causes of this variability remain unclear. The diversity of snake venom is important both for our understanding of venomous snake evolution and for the preparation of relevant antivenoms to treat envenomations. A geographic intraspecific variation in snake venom composition was recently reported for Vipera aspis aspis venom in France. Since 1992, cases of human envenomation after Vipera aspis aspis bites in south-east France involving unexpected neurological signs were regularly reported. The presence of genes encoding PLA2 neurotoxins in the Vaa snake genome led us to investigate any neurological symptom associated with snake bites in other regions of France and in neighboring countries. In parallel, we used several approaches to characterize the venom PLA2 composition of the snakes captured in the same areas. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted an epidemiological survey of snake bites in various regions of France. In parallel, we carried out the analysis of the genes and the transcripts encoding venom PLA2s. We used SELDI technology to study the diversity of PLA2 in various venom samples. Neurological signs (mainly cranial nerve disturbances) were reported after snake bites in three regions of France: Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Genomes of Vipera aspis snakes from south-east France were shown to contain ammodytoxin isoforms never described in the genome of Vipera aspis from other French regions. Surprisingly, transcripts encoding venom neurotoxic PLA2s were found in snakes of Massif Central region. Accordingly, SELDI analysis of PLA2 venom composition confirmed the existence of population of neurotoxic Vipera aspis snakes in the west part of the Massif Central mountains. Conclusions/Significance The association of epidemiological studies to genetic, biochemical and immunochemical analyses of snake venoms allowed a good evaluation of the potential neurotoxicity of snake bites. A correlation was found between the expression of neurological symptoms in humans and the intensity of the cross-reaction of venoms with anti-ammodytoxin antibodies, which is correlated with the level of neurotoxin (vaspin and/or ammodytoxin) expression in the venom. The origin of the two recently identified neurotoxic snake populations is discussed according to venom PLA2 genome and transcriptome data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luc de Haro
- Centre Antipoison, Hôpital Salvator, Marseille, France
| | - Virginie Jan
- Unité des Venins, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Alexandre Teynié
- UENC INRA, Centre de Recherche de Theix, Saint Genes Champanelle, France
| | - Jacques d'Alayer
- Plate-forme d'Analyse et de Microséquençage des Proteines, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Choumet
- Unité des Venins, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Tsai IH, Tsai HY, Wang YM, Tun-Pe, Warrell DA. Venom phospholipases of Russell's vipers from Myanmar and eastern India--cloning, characterization and phylogeographic analysis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2007; 1774:1020-8. [PMID: 17611171 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2007.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2007] [Revised: 04/22/2007] [Accepted: 04/24/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Venoms of Russell's vipers (genus Daboia) are known for their deadly coagulopathic and other effects. We herein studied various isoforms of venom phospholipases A(2) (PLAs) from two Daboia species at their geographic boundary. From Myanmar Daboia siamensis venom (designated as DsM), four PLAs (designated DsM-aI, aI', aII' and bI') were purified, and the cDNAs encoding two acidic (DsM-aI and aII) and two basic PLAs (DsM-bI and S1) were also cloned from its venom-glands. DsM-S1 is identical to the major venom PLA of southern India Daboia russelii, but the protein is absent from the venom. Additionally, four PLAs (designated DrK-aI, aII, bI and bII) were cloned from cDNA obtained from venom glands of a Kolkata D. russelii, and the PLAs were purified from the pooled venom (designated as DrK). The acidic DrK-aI is the most neurotoxic and lethal among these PLAs; DsM-aI which differs from DrK-aI by only the Phe2 substitution shows greatly reduced enzymatic activity and lethality. Both acidic PLAs do not form dimeric complex with basic PLAs in the same venoms. DsM-bI' is neurotoxic and lethal but its orthologous DrK-bI (97% identical to DsM-bI') is a much weaker toxin. Given the fact that most of the orthologous PLAs of DrK and DsM share 97-100% sequence identity, Daboia vipers of Myanmar and Kolkata must be closely related. Molecular phylogenetic analyses on 30 venom PLAs of Eurasian vipers' revealed co-evolution of five subtypes of venom PLAs in both Daboia and Vipera genera. Our results shed light on the intra- and inter-species variations and structure-function relationships of viperid venom PLAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inn-Ho Tsai
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, and College of Life Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
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Valdez-Cruz NA, Segovia L, Corona M, Possani LD. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic relationship of genes encoding heterodimeric phospholipases A2 from the venom of the scorpion Anuroctonus phaiodactylus. Gene 2007; 396:149-58. [PMID: 17466468 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2007.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2006] [Revised: 01/25/2007] [Accepted: 03/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Some scorpion venom contain heterodimeric phospholipases A2. They were shown to be toxic to insects and to cause edema and/or hemolysis of mammalian erythrocytes. This manuscript describes the results of cDNA cloning of five different heterodimeric phospholipases from the venomous glands of the Mexican scorpion Anuroctonus phaiodactylus. The amino acid sequence deduced from the heterodimeric phospholipases open reading frames corresponds in each case to a different isoform. The nucleotide sequences corresponding to two of these genes were also obtained by directly sequencing genomic DNA. The cDNA isoforms show high similarity with the heterodimeric phospholipase Phaiodactylipin purified from the same scorpion. However, similar phospholipases were also found in scorpions from other species and the sequences available were used to construct a phylogenetic tree. In order to understand better the gene structure and phylogeny of these enzymes we analyzed their sequences and compared them with secretory phospholipases of other sources from groups I, II and III. The genomic DNA sequence of a similar phospholipase from bee venomous glands was also cloned. The information available on a Drosophila phospholipase was included in this analysis. The phospholipases of groups I and II contain a conserved exon-intron structure (four or five exons of the mature segment of the enzyme are separated by three or four introns). Also, the gene structure of the phospholipases from A. phaiodactylus and that of the bee venom, belonging to group III phospholipases, are interrupted by three introns. The mature peptide of the bee enzyme is a single polypeptide chain, coded by four exons, whereas those from the scorpion studied here although having four exons, showed the presence of two different polypeptides in its native state. The mature protein is processed after synthesis, producing the heterodimeric structure: a long and a short-peptide chain, linked by a disulfide bridge. The small subunit is the one coded by the fourth exon. The human phospholipase A2 and that of Drosophila, also classified into the group III phospholipases, have a considerably different exon-intron organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma A Valdez-Cruz
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 622106221, Mexico
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Makarova YV, Osipov AV, Tsetlin VI, Utkin YN. Influence of phospholipases A2 from snake venoms on survival and neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma cell line PC12. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2006; 71:678-84. [PMID: 16827660 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297906060125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
To determine whether the ability to induce neurite outgrowth in rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 is characteristic of phospholipases of different types, we have studied the influence of phospholipase A(2) (PLA2) from cobra Naja kaouthia venom and two PLA2s from viper Vipera nikolskii venom on PC12 cells. Phospholipases from the viper venom are heterodimers in which only one of the subunits is enzymatically active, while PLA2 from the cobra venom is a monomer. It was found that all three PLA2s induce neurite outgrowth in PC12. The PLA2 from cobra venom exhibits this effect at higher concentrations as compared to the viper enzymes. We have not observed such an activity for isolated subunits of viper PLA2s, since the enzymatically active subunits have very high cytotoxicity, while the other subunits are not active at all. However, co-incubation of active and inactive subunits before addition to the cells leads to a marked decrease in cytotoxicity and to restoration of the neurite-inducing activity. It has also been shown that all enzymatically active PLA2s are cytotoxic, the PLA2 from cobra venom being the least active. Thus, for the first time we have shown that PLA2s from snake venoms can induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya V Makarova
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia
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Fatehi-Hassanabad Z, Fatehi M. Characterisation of some pharmacological effects of the venom from Vipera lebetina. Toxicon 2004; 43:385-91. [PMID: 15051401 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2004.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Vipera lebetina is one of the most venomous snakes on the Iran plateau. Serious clinical problems such as edema, hemorrhage and tissue necrosis are observed in humans following V. lebetina envenomating. However, little information on the pharmacological properties of the venom is available. To determine haemodynamic actions of the venom of V. lebetina, the changes in the mean arterial blood pressure of anaesthetised rats following the administration of the venom were recorded. Venom (1 mg/kg, i.v.) produced rapid cardiovascular collapse, while 0.3 mg/kg (i.v.) caused only a small transient decrease in mean arterial blood pressure. Effects of the venom on perfusion pressure in the isolated rat mesenteric bed, and on contractions of the isolated rat right atrium and the isolated guinea-pig ileum, were also studied. Exposure of the isolated rat right atrium to venom (0.1-1 mg/ml) caused a transient increase followed by a sustained reduction in the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions. The transient positive inotropic and chronotropic effects were abolished when the preparation was preincubated with propranolol, but not with tolazoline. N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester pretreatment attenuated the vascular hyporeactivity to phenylephrine induced by the venom in the isolated rat mesenteric vascular bed. This suggests that nitric oxide (NO) or NO-like compounds may be present in the venom and involved in its hypotensive effect. The venom (0.3-1 mg/ml) caused concentration-dependant blockade of isolated guinea-pig ileum contractions induced by electrical field stimulation, acetylcholine or KCl. This inhibitory effect of the venom was significantly reduced by prior incubation of the venom with manoalide (1 microM) indicating involvement of a phospholipase A(2) component. Further, investigation is required to identify specific toxins responsible for the above pharmacological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Fatehi-Hassanabad
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 91775-1843 Mashhad, Iran
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