1
|
Phan P, Deshwal A, McMahon TA, Slikas M, Andrews E, Becker B, Kumar TKS. A Review of Rattlesnake Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 16:2. [PMID: 38276526 PMCID: PMC10818703 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Venom components are invaluable in biomedical research owing to their specificity and potency. Many of these components exist in two genera of rattlesnakes, Crotalus and Sistrurus, with high toxicity and proteolytic activity variation. This review focuses on venom components within rattlesnakes, and offers a comparison and itemized list of factors dictating venom composition, as well as presenting their known characteristics, activities, and significant applications in biosciences. There are 64 families and subfamilies of proteins present in Crotalus and Sistrurus venom. Snake venom serine proteases (SVSP), snake venom metalloproteases (SVMP), and phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are the standard components in Crotalus and Sistrurus venom. Through this review, we highlight gaps in the knowledge of rattlesnake venom; there needs to be more information on the venom composition of three Crotalus species and one Sistrurus subspecies. We discuss the activity and importance of both major and minor components in biomedical research and drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phuc Phan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
| | - Anant Deshwal
- Department of Biology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, USA; (T.A.M.); (M.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Tyler Anthony McMahon
- Department of Biology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, USA; (T.A.M.); (M.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Matthew Slikas
- Department of Biology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, USA; (T.A.M.); (M.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Elodie Andrews
- Department of Biology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, USA; (T.A.M.); (M.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Brian Becker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Trim CM, Byrne LJ, Trim SA. Utilisation of compounds from venoms in drug discovery. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2021; 60:1-66. [PMID: 34147202 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Difficult drug targets are becoming the normal course of business in drug discovery, sometimes due to large interacting surfaces or only small differences in selectivity regions. For these, a different approach is merited: compounds lying somewhere between the small molecule and the large antibody in terms of many properties including stability, biodistribution and pharmacokinetics. Venoms have evolved over millions of years to be complex mixtures of stable molecules derived from other somatic molecules, the stability comes from the pressure to be ready for delivery at a moment's notice. Snakes, spiders, scorpions, jellyfish, wasps, fish and even mammals have evolved independent venom systems with complex mixtures in their chemical arsenal. These venom-derived molecules have been proven to be useful tools, such as for the development of antihypotensive angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and have also made successful drugs such as Byetta® (Exenatide), Integrilin® (Eptifibatide) and Echistatin. Only a small percentage of the available chemical space from venoms has been investigated so far and this is growing. In a new era of biological therapeutics, venom peptides present opportunities for larger target engagement surface with greater stability than antibodies or human peptides. There are challenges for oral absorption and target engagement, but there are venom structures that overcome these and thus provide substrate for engineering novel molecules that combine all desired properties. Venom researchers are characterising new venoms, species, and functions all the time, these provide great substrate for solving the challenges presented by today's difficult targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carol M Trim
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Lee J Byrne
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Naves MPC, de Morais CR, de Freitas V, Ribeiro DL, Lopes DS, Antunes LMG, de Melo Rodrigues V, de Rezende AAA, Spanó MA. Mutagenic and genotoxic activities of Phospholipase A 2 Bothropstoxin-I from Bothrops jararacussu in Drosophila melanogaster and human cell lines. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 182:1602-1610. [PMID: 34033823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipase A2 Bothropstoxin-I (PLA2 BthTX-I) is a myotoxic Lys49-PLA2 from Bothrops jararacussu snake venom. In order to evaluate the DNA damage caused by BthTX-I, we used the Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster and Comet assay in HUVEC and DU-145 cells. For SMART, different concentrations of BthTX-I (6.72 to 430 μg/mL) were used and no significant changes in the survival rate were observed. Significant frequency of mutant spots was observed for the ST cross at the highest concentration of BthTX-I due to recombinogenic activity. In the HB cross, BthTX-I increased the number of mutant spots at intermediate concentrations, being 53.75 μg/mL highly mutagenic and 107.5 μg/mL predominantly recombinogenic. The highest concentrations were neither mutagenic nor recombinogenic, which could indicate cytotoxicity in the wing cells of D. melanogaster. In vitro, all BthTX-I concentrations (1 to 50 μg/mL) induced decrease in HUVEC cell viability, as well as in DU-145 cells at concentrations of 10, 25, and 50 μg/mL. The comet assay showed that in HUVEC and DU-145 cells, all BthTX-I concentrations promoted increase of DNA damage. Further studies should be performed to elucidate the mechanism of action of PLA2 BthTX-I and its possible use in therapeutic strategies against cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cássio Resende de Morais
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Vitor de Freitas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Diego Luis Ribeiro
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Daiana Silva Lopes
- Multidisciplinary Institute in Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Lusânia Maria Greggi Antunes
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mário Antônio Spanó
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Deshwal A, Phan P, Datta J, Kannan R, Thallapuranam SK. A Meta-Analysis of the Protein Components in Rattlesnake Venom. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13060372. [PMID: 34071038 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13060372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The specificity and potency of venom components give them a unique advantage in developing various pharmaceutical drugs. Though venom is a cocktail of proteins, rarely are the synergy and association between various venom components studied. Understanding the relationship between various components of venom is critical in medical research. Using meta-analysis, we observed underlying patterns and associations in the appearance of the toxin families. For Crotalus, Dis has the most associations with the following toxins: PDE; BPP; CRL; CRiSP; LAAO; SVMP P-I and LAAO; SVMP P-III and LAAO. In Sistrurus venom, CTL and NGF have the most associations. These associations can predict the presence of proteins in novel venom and understand synergies between venom components for enhanced bioactivity. Using this approach, the need to revisit the classification of proteins as major components or minor components is highlighted. The revised classification of venom components is based on ubiquity, bioactivity, the number of associations, and synergies. The revised classification can be expected to trigger increased research on venom components, such as NGF, which have high biomedical significance. Using hierarchical clustering, we observed that the genera's venom compositions were similar, based on functional characteristics rather than phylogenetic relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anant Deshwal
- Division of Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Phuc Phan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Jyotishka Datta
- Department of Statistics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Ragupathy Kannan
- Department of Biology, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Fort Smith, AR 72913, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Marinho AD, Silveira JADM, Chaves Filho AJM, Jorge ARC, Nogueira Júnior FA, Pereira VBM, de Aquino PEA, Pereira CAS, Evangelista JSAM, Macedo DS, Lima Júnior RCP, Toyama MH, Jorge RJB, Pereira GJS, Monteiro HSA. Bothrops pauloensis snake venom-derived Asp-49 and Lys-49 phospholipases A2 mediates acute kidney injury by oxidative stress and release of inflammatory cytokines. Toxicon 2020; 190:31-38. [PMID: 33307108 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The envenomation caused by the Bothrops pauloensis snake leads to severe local and systemic effects including acute kidney injury. In this study, we investigated the renal effects by phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), divided into two main subgroups, Asp-49 and Lys-49, isolated from the Bothrops pauloensis snake venom (BpV) in isolated rat kidney system. Both PLA2s (3 μg/mL), added alone to the perfusion system and analyzed for 120 min, had significant effects on isolated rat kidney. Asp-49 reduced Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) at 60, 90 and 120 min, and the percentage of total tubular sodium transport (%TNa+) and potassium transport (%TK+) at 120 min. Lys-49 increased Perfusion Pressure (PP) at 120 min and reduced GFR, %TNa+ and the percentage of total tubular chloride transport (%TCl-) at 60, 90 and 120 min. Cytokine release in the kidney tissues were increased with Asp-49 PLA2 (IL-10) and Lys-49 PLA2 (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10). Both increased MPO activity. Asp-49 PLA2 decreased Glutathione (GSH) and increased nitrite levels, while Lys-49 PLA2 increased Malondialdehyde (MDA), GSH and nitrite levels. Histological analysis of the perfused kidneys revealed the presence of glomerular degeneration and atrophy, deposit of proteinaceous material in Bowman's space and intratubular with both PLA2s. These findings indicated that both PLA2s modified the functional parameters in an isolated perfused kidney model with increased oxidative stress and cytokine release. PLA2s are one of the components at high concentration in BpV and our results provide important knowledge about their involvement with the nephrotoxic mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline Diogo Marinho
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - João Alison de Moraes Silveira
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Adriano José Maia Chaves Filho
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Antônio Rafael Coelho Jorge
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Francisco Assis Nogueira Júnior
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Venúcia Bruna Magalhães Pereira
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Pedro Everson Alexandre de Aquino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Cássia Arruda Souza Pereira
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Três de Maio St., 100, 04.044-020, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Danielle Silveira Macedo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Roberto César Pereira Lima Júnior
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Marcos Hikari Toyama
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil
| | - Roberta Jeane Bezerra Jorge
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Gustavo José Silva Pereira
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Três de Maio St., 100, 04.044-020, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Serra Azul Monteiro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1127, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo St., 1000, 60.430-275, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Snakebite Envenoming a Challenging Diagnosis for the Forensic Pathologist: A Systematic Review. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12110699. [PMID: 33153179 PMCID: PMC7693695 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12110699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a public health issue in developing countries. The estimated annual global incidence of snakebites is about 5.4 million snakebites per year, resulting from 1.8 to 2.7 million cases of SBE and from 81,000 to 138,000 deaths with 400,000 survivors suffering permanent physical and psychological disabilities. There are more than 3000 species of snakes around the world: 600 are venomous and over 200 are considered to be medically important because of their clinical effects. The severity of SBE depends on several factors among which bite localization, snake's size, condition of glands and teeth, bite angle and bite duration, the microflora of the snake's mouth and victim's skin, age of the victim, weight, health status, and victim's activity after a bite. Snake venoms are mixtures of protein families, and each of these families contains many different toxins or toxin isoforms. Based on their effects, snake venoms can be classified as hemotoxic, neurotoxic, or cytotoxic and they can all act together involving multiple tissues and organs. When the bite is fatal, the mechanism of death is primarily related to the paralysis of respiratory muscles, which causes asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, but also anaphylactic shock, hemorrhagic shock, cardiomyopathy, acute tubular necrosis (ATN). The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate epidemiological and post-mortem examination findings in fatal SBEs in order to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms, thus helping pathologists in defining the correct diagnosis.
Collapse
|
7
|
Jia Y, Lopez I, Kowalski P. Toxin transcripts in Crotalus atrox venom and in silico structures of toxins. JOURNAL OF VENOM RESEARCH 2020; 10:18-22. [PMID: 32774833 PMCID: PMC7314381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is a common and widespread North American pit viper species, and its venom possesses medical applications. In this research, we identified 14 of the most common transcripts encoding 11 major venom toxins including transcripts for a three-finger toxin (3FTx) from the crude venom of C. atrox. In silico three-dimensional (3D) structures of 9 venom toxins were predicted by using deduced toxin amino acid sequences and a computer programme-MODELLER. The accuracy of all predicted toxin structures was evaluated by five stereochemical structure parameters including discrete optimised protein energy (DOPE) score, root mean square deviation (RMSD), Z-score, overall quality factor (ERRAT), and φ/ψ dihedral angle distribution of toxin backbone Cα residues, resulting that the overall predicted models are satisfied quality evaluation checks. Our present toxin transcripts and simulated individual toxin structures are important not only for revealing species-specific venom gene expression profiles, but also for predicting the toxin-toxin interactions and designing the structure-based toxin inhibitors for the treatment of snakebites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Jia
- Biology Department, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, Texas 78520, USA
| | - Ivan Lopez
- Biology Department, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, Texas 78520, USA
| | - Paulina Kowalski
- Biology Department, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, Texas 78520, USA
| |
Collapse
|