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Neri-Castro E, Zarzosa V, Lomonte B, Zamudio F, Hernandez-Orihuela L, Olvera-Rodríguez A, Rodríguez-Solís AM, Borja M, García-Vázquez UO, Jones JM, Parkinson CL, Alagón A. Exploring venom diversity in Mixcoatlus browni and Mixcoatlus barbouri: A comparative analysis of two rare Mexican snake species with crotoxin-like presence. Biochimie 2024; 225:81-88. [PMID: 38762000 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.05.015] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The genus Mixcoatlus is composed of three species: Mixcoatlus barbouri, M. browni, and M. melanurus, of which the venom composition of M. melanurus, the most common species of the three, has only recently been described. However, very little is known about the natural history of M. barbouri and M. browni, and the venom composition of these two species has remained thus far unexplored. In this study we characterize the proteomic profiles and the main biochemical and toxic activities of these two venoms. Proteomic data obtained by shotgun analysis of whole venom identified 12 protein families for M. barbouri, and 13 for M. browni. The latter venom was further characterized by using a quantitative 'venomics' protocol, which revealed that it is mainly composed of 51.1 % phospholipases A2 (PLA2), 25.5 % snake venom serine proteases (SVSP), 4.6 % l-amino oxidases (LAO), and 3.6 % snake venom metalloproteases (SVMP), with lower percentages other six protein families. Both venoms contained homologs of the basic and acidic subunits of crotoxin. However, due to limitations in M. barbouri venom availability, we could only characterize the crotoxin-like protein of M. browni venom, which we have named Mixcoatlutoxin. It exhibited a lethal potency in mice like that described for classical rattlesnake crotoxins. These findings expand knowledge on the distribution of crotoxin-like heterodimeric proteins in viper snake species. Further investigation of the bioactivities of the venom of M. barbouri, on the other hand, remains necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Neri-Castro
- Investigador por México, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad s/n. Fracc. Filadelfia, C.P. 35010, Gómez Palacio, Dgo, Mexico; Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Chamilpa, C.P. 62210, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico.
| | - Vanessa Zarzosa
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Chamilpa, C.P. 62210, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica
| | - Fernando Zamudio
- Investigador por México, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad s/n. Fracc. Filadelfia, C.P. 35010, Gómez Palacio, Dgo, Mexico
| | - Lorena Hernandez-Orihuela
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Chamilpa, C.P. 62210, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Olvera-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Chamilpa, C.P. 62210, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Audrey Michelle Rodríguez-Solís
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Chamilpa, C.P. 62210, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Miguel Borja
- Investigador por México, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad s/n. Fracc. Filadelfia, C.P. 35010, Gómez Palacio, Dgo, Mexico
| | - Uri O García-Vázquez
- Laboratorio de Sistemática Molecular, Carrera de Biología, UMIEZ, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Batalla 5 de Mayo s/n, Ejército de Oriente, Ciudad de México, 09230, Mexico
| | | | - Chistopher L Parkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Forestry, and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, 190 Collings St. Clemson, SC, 29631, USA
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Chamilpa, C.P. 62210, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico.
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2
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Modahl CM, Han SX, van Thiel J, Vaz C, Dunstan NL, Frietze S, Jackson TNW, Mackessy SP, Kini RM. Distinct regulatory networks control toxin gene expression in elapid and viperid snakes. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:186. [PMID: 38365592 PMCID: PMC10874052 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10090-y] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venom systems are ideal models to study genetic regulatory mechanisms that underpin evolutionary novelty. Snake venom glands are thought to share a common origin, but there are major distinctions between venom toxins from the medically significant snake families Elapidae and Viperidae, and toxin gene regulatory investigations in elapid snakes have been limited. Here, we used high-throughput RNA-sequencing to profile gene expression and microRNAs between active (milked) and resting (unmilked) venom glands in an elapid (Eastern Brown Snake, Pseudonaja textilis), in addition to comparative genomics, to identify cis- and trans-acting regulation of venom production in an elapid in comparison to viperids (Crotalus viridis and C. tigris). RESULTS Although there is conservation in high-level mechanistic pathways regulating venom production (unfolded protein response, Notch signaling and cholesterol homeostasis), there are differences in the regulation of histone methylation enzymes, transcription factors, and microRNAs in venom glands from these two snake families. Histone methyltransferases and transcription factor (TF) specificity protein 1 (Sp1) were highly upregulated in the milked elapid venom gland in comparison to the viperids, whereas nuclear factor I (NFI) TFs were upregulated after viperid venom milking. Sp1 and NFI cis-regulatory elements were common to toxin gene promoter regions, but many unique elements were also present between elapid and viperid toxins. The presence of Sp1 binding sites across multiple elapid toxin gene promoter regions that have been experimentally determined to regulate expression, in addition to upregulation of Sp1 after venom milking, suggests this transcription factor is involved in elapid toxin expression. microRNA profiles were distinctive between milked and unmilked venom glands for both snake families, and microRNAs were predicted to target a diversity of toxin transcripts in the elapid P. textilis venom gland, but only snake venom metalloproteinase transcripts in the viperid C. viridis venom gland. These results suggest differences in toxin gene posttranscriptional regulation between the elapid P. textilis and viperid C. viridis. CONCLUSIONS Our comparative transcriptomic and genomic analyses between toxin genes and isoforms in elapid and viperid snakes suggests independent toxin regulation between these two snake families, demonstrating multiple different regulatory mechanisms underpin a venomous phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra M Modahl
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, U.K..
| | - Summer Xia Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Fulcrum Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A
| | - Jory van Thiel
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, U.K
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Candida Vaz
- Human Development, Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Seth Frietze
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, U.S.A
| | - Timothy N W Jackson
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen P Mackessy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, U.S.A
| | - R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, U.S.A..
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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.
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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;
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Bibliometric Analysis of Literature in Snake Venom-Related Research Worldwide (1933–2022). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162058. [PMID: 36009648 PMCID: PMC9405337 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Around the world, snake envenomation poses a serious health risk. Proteins with pharmacological effects are present in snake venom. Recent studies elaborate snake venom and its potential application, including as a cancer drug and antibacterial substances. Our study aimed to analyze the global profile of the literature in snake venom research from documents indexed in the Scopus database between 1933 and 2022. In total, 2999 documents were published with Brazil showing the highest productivity. Antivenom, proteomics, and transcriptomics are emerging as hot topics on a global scale. The present study offers a distinctive overview of snake venom research conducted worldwide. Abstract Snake envenomation is a severe economic and health concern affecting countries worldwide. Snake venom carries a wide variety of small peptides and proteins with various immunological and pharmacological properties. A few key research areas related to snake venom, including its applications in treating cancer and eradicating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, have been gaining significant attention in recent years. The goal of the current study was to analyze the global profile of literature in snake venom research. This study presents a bibliometric review of snake venom-related research documents indexed in the Scopus database between 1933 and 2022. The overall number of documents published on a global scale was 2999, with an average annual production of 34 documents. Brazil produced the highest number of documents (n = 729), followed by the United States (n = 548), Australia (n = 240), and Costa Rica (n = 235). Since 1963, the number of publications has been steadily increasing globally. At a worldwide level, antivenom, proteomics, and transcriptomics are growing hot issues for research in this field. The current research provides a unique overview of snake venom research at global level from 1933 through 2022, and it may be beneficial in guiding future research.
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5
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Proteomic and toxicological characterization of the venoms of the most enigmatic group of rattlesnakes: The long-tailed rattlesnakes. Biochimie 2022; 202:226-236. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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6
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Rao WQ, Kalogeropoulos K, Allentoft ME, Gopalakrishnan S, Zhao WN, Workman CT, Knudsen C, Jiménez-Mena B, Seneci L, Mousavi-Derazmahalleh M, Jenkins TP, Rivera-de-Torre E, Liu SQ, Laustsen AH. The rise of genomics in snake venom research: recent advances and future perspectives. Gigascience 2022; 11:6562531. [PMID: 35365832 PMCID: PMC8975721 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake venoms represent a danger to human health, but also a gold mine of bioactive proteins that can be harnessed for drug discovery purposes. The evolution of snakes and their venom has been studied for decades, particularly via traditional morphological and basic genetic methods alongside venom proteomics. However, while the field of genomics has matured rapidly over the past 2 decades, owing to the development of next-generation sequencing technologies, snake genomics remains in its infancy. Here, we provide an overview of the state of the art in snake genomics and discuss its potential implications for studying venom evolution and toxinology. On the basis of current knowledge, gene duplication and positive selection are key mechanisms in the neofunctionalization of snake venom proteins. This makes snake venoms important evolutionary drivers that explain the remarkable venom diversification and adaptive variation observed in these reptiles. Gene duplication and neofunctionalization have also generated a large number of repeat sequences in snake genomes that pose a significant challenge to DNA sequencing, resulting in the need for substantial computational resources and longer sequencing read length for high-quality genome assembly. Fortunately, owing to constantly improving sequencing technologies and computational tools, we are now able to explore the molecular mechanisms of snake venom evolution in unprecedented detail. Such novel insights have the potential to affect the design and development of antivenoms and possibly other drugs, as well as provide new fundamental knowledge on snake biology and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Qiao Rao
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,Department of Mass Spectrometry, Beijing Genomics Institute-Research, 518083, Shenzhen, China
| | - Konstantinos Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Morten E Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, 6102, Bentley Perth, Australia.,Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shyam Gopalakrishnan
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Wei-Ning Zhao
- Department of Mass Spectrometry, Beijing Genomics Institute-Research, 518083, Shenzhen, China
| | - Christopher T Workman
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Knudsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Belén Jiménez-Mena
- DTU Aqua, Technical University of Denmark, Vejlsøvej 39, 8600, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Lorenzo Seneci
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mahsa Mousavi-Derazmahalleh
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, 6102, Bentley Perth, Australia
| | - Timothy P Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Si-Qi Liu
- Department of Mass Spectrometry, Beijing Genomics Institute-Research, 518083, Shenzhen, China
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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7
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Franco-Servín C, Neri-Castro E, Bénard-Valle M, Alagón A, Rosales-García RA, Guerrero-Alba R, Poblano-Sánchez JE, Silva-Briano M, Guerrero-Barrera AL, Sigala-Rodríguez JJ. Biological and Biochemical Characterization of Coronado Island Rattlesnake ( Crotalus helleri caliginis) Venom and Antivenom Neutralization. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13080582. [PMID: 34437453 PMCID: PMC8402616 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Baja California Peninsula has over 250 islands and islets with many endemic species. Among them, rattlesnakes are the most numerous but also one of the least studied groups. The study of island rattlesnake venom could guide us to a better understanding of evolutionary processes and the description of novel toxins. Crotalus helleri caliginis venom samples were analyzed to determine possible ontogenetic variation with SDS-PAGE in one and two dimensions and with RP-HPLC. Western Blot, ELISA, and amino-terminal sequencing were used to determine the main components of the venom. The biological and biochemical activities demonstrate the similarity of C. helleri caliginis venom to the continental species C. helleri helleri, with both having low proteolytic and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity but differing due to the absence of neurotoxin (crotoxin-like) in the insular species. The main components of the snake venom were metalloproteases, serine proteases, and crotamine, which was the most abundant toxin group (30–35% of full venom). The crotamine was isolated using size-exclusion chromatography where its functional effects were tested on mouse phrenic nerve–hemidiaphragm preparations in which a significant reduction in muscle twitch contractions were observed. The two Mexican antivenoms could neutralize the lethality of C. helleri caliginis venom but not the crotamine effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Franco-Servín
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Tisular, Departamento de Morfología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Av. Universidad 940, Aguascalientes CP 20131, Ags, Mexico;
- Colección Zoológica, Departamento de Biología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Av. Universidad 940, Aguascalientes CP 20131, Ags, Mexico;
| | - Edgar Neri-Castro
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad # 2001 Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca CP 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (E.N.-C.); (M.B.-V.); (A.A.)
| | - Melisa Bénard-Valle
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad # 2001 Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca CP 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (E.N.-C.); (M.B.-V.); (A.A.)
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad # 2001 Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca CP 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (E.N.-C.); (M.B.-V.); (A.A.)
| | - Ramsés Alejandro Rosales-García
- Colección Zoológica, Departamento de Biología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Av. Universidad 940, Aguascalientes CP 20131, Ags, Mexico;
| | - Raquel Guerrero-Alba
- Laboratorio de Electrofisiología, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Av. Universidad 940, Aguascalientes CP 20131, Ags, Mexico;
| | - José Emanuel Poblano-Sánchez
- Laboratorio Clínico de Especialidades del Hospital General ISSSTE, Av. Universidad 410, Aguascalientes CP 20010, Ags, Mexico;
| | - Marcelo Silva-Briano
- Laboratorio de Ecología, Departamento de Biología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Av. Universidad 940, Aguascalientes CP 20131, Ags, Mexico;
| | - Alma Lilián Guerrero-Barrera
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Tisular, Departamento de Morfología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Av. Universidad 940, Aguascalientes CP 20131, Ags, Mexico;
- Correspondence: (A.L.G.-B.); (J.J.S.-R.)
| | - José Jesús Sigala-Rodríguez
- Colección Zoológica, Departamento de Biología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Av. Universidad 940, Aguascalientes CP 20131, Ags, Mexico;
- Correspondence: (A.L.G.-B.); (J.J.S.-R.)
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Alfaro-Chinchilla A, Segura Á, Gómez A, Díaz C, Corrales G, Chacón D, Arguedas M, Estrada R, Gutiérrez JM, León G. Expanding the neutralization scope of the Central American antivenom (PoliVal-ICP) to include the venom of Crotalus durissus pifanorum. J Proteomics 2021; 246:104315. [PMID: 34216808 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The proteomic, enzymatic, toxicological, and immunogenic profiles of the venom of C. d. pifanorum were studied. It was found that venom of C. d. pifanorum is composed of 63% phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), 13% serine proteinases (SVSPs), 8% bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs), 4% L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs), 3% metalloproteinases (SVMPs), and other minor components. This composition allows the venom to exert lethal, PLA2, myotoxic, coagulant and defibrinogenating activities, but no azocaseinolytic or hemorrhagic activities. The addition of C. d. pifanorum venom to the group of venoms used as immunogens to produce the Central American antivenom PoliVal-ICP (i.e., venoms of Bothrops asper, Crotalus simus and Lachesis stenophrys) resulted in 1) the expansion of the neutralization scope of the antivenom to cover the venom of C. d. pifanorum and other antigenically related venom (i.e., C. s. scutulatus venom), 2) improvement of the neutralizing potency towards the venom of C. simus, and 3) no significant reduction of the neutralization of venoms of B. asper and L. stenophrys. It was concluded that supplementation of the immunogens used to produce PoliVal-ICP with the venom of C. d. pifanorum is a viable alternative to expand the neutralization scope of the antivenom. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The venom of Crotalus durissus pifanorum from Venezuela has a proteomic profile like those of other subspecies of the South American rattlesnake C. durissus, with predominance of phospholipases A2 (especially crotoxin) and serine proteinases. This explains a toxicological profile characterized by neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, and coagulopathies, but being devoid of hemorrhagic activity. The antivenom used in Central America (PoliVal-ICP) includes the venom of C. simus, which has a different composition, in the immunizing strategy. Accordingly, this antivenom does not neutralize C. d. pifanorum venom. The addition of C. d. pifanorum venom to the immunizing mixture of PoliVal-ICP expands the neutralizing scope of this antivenom, to cover additional rattlesnake venoms, while not affecting the response to C. simus, Bothrops asper and Lachesis stenophrys venoms. This represents an improvement of the current PoliVal-ICP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Alfaro-Chinchilla
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Álvaro Segura
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Aarón Gómez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Cecilia Díaz
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Greivin Corrales
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Danilo Chacón
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Mauricio Arguedas
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ricardo Estrada
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Guillermo León
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
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Seneci L, Zdenek CN, Bourke LA, Cochran C, Sánchez EE, Neri-Castro E, Bénard-Valle M, Alagón A, Frank N, Fry BG. A symphony of destruction: Dynamic differential fibrinogenolytic toxicity by rattlesnake (Crotalus and Sistrurus) venoms. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 245:109034. [PMID: 33766656 PMCID: PMC8162888 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2021.109034] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
What factors influence the evolution of a heavily selected functional trait in a diverse clade? This study adopts rattlesnakes as a model group to investigate the evolutionary history of venom coagulotoxicity in the wider context of phylogenetics, natural history, and biology. Venom-induced clotting of human plasma and fibrinogen was determined and mapped onto the rattlesnake phylogenetic tree to reconstruct the evolution of coagulotoxicity across the group. Our results indicate that venom phenotype is often independent of phylogenetic relationships in rattlesnakes, suggesting the importance of diet and/or other environmental variables in driving venom evolution. Moreover, the striking inter- and intraspecific variability in venom activity on human blood highlights the considerable variability faced by physicians treating envenomation. This study is the most comprehensive effort to date to describe and characterize the evolutionary and biological aspects of coagulotoxins in rattlesnake venom. Further research at finer taxonomic levels is recommended to elucidate patterns of variation within species and lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Seneci
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christina N Zdenek
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lachlan A Bourke
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chip Cochran
- Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Elda E Sánchez
- National Natural Toxins Research Center (NNTRC), Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, MSC 224, 975 West Avenue B, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Edgar Neri-Castro
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnologa, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Melisa Bénard-Valle
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnologa, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnologa, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | | | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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10
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Snake venom vascular endothelial growth factors (svVEGFs): Unravelling their molecular structure, functions, and research potential. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2021; 60:133-143. [PMID: 34090786 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of angiogenesis, a physiological process characterized by the formation of new vessels from a preexisting endothelium. VEGF has also been implicated in pathologic states, such as neoplasias, intraocular neovascular disorders, among other conditions. VEGFs are distributed in seven different families: VEGF-A, B, C, D, and PIGF (placental growth factor), which are identified in mammals; VEGF-E, which are encountered in viruses; and VEGF-F or svVEGF (snake venom VEGF) described in snake venoms. This is the pioneer review of svVEGF family, exploring its distribution among the snake venoms, molecular structure, main functions, and potential applications.
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11
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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.
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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
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12
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Margres MJ, Rautsaw RM, Strickland JL, Mason AJ, Schramer TD, Hofmann EP, Stiers E, Ellsworth SA, Nystrom GS, Hogan MP, Bartlett DA, Colston TJ, Gilbert DM, Rokyta DR, Parkinson CL. The Tiger Rattlesnake genome reveals a complex genotype underlying a simple venom phenotype. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2014634118. [PMID: 33468678 PMCID: PMC7848695 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2014634118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Variation in gene regulation is ubiquitous, yet identifying the mechanisms producing such variation, especially for complex traits, is challenging. Snake venoms provide a model system for studying the phenotypic impacts of regulatory variation in complex traits because of their genetic tractability. Here, we sequence the genome of the Tiger Rattlesnake, which possesses the simplest and most toxic venom of any rattlesnake species, to determine whether the simple venom phenotype is the result of a simple genotype through gene loss or a complex genotype mediated through regulatory mechanisms. We generate the most contiguous snake-genome assembly to date and use this genome to show that gene loss, chromatin accessibility, and methylation levels all contribute to the production of the simplest, most toxic rattlesnake venom. We provide the most complete characterization of the venom gene-regulatory network to date and identify key mechanisms mediating phenotypic variation across a polygenic regulatory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Margres
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634;
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620
| | - Rhett M Rautsaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
| | - Jason L Strickland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
- Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688
| | - Andrew J Mason
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
| | - Tristan D Schramer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
| | - Erich P Hofmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
| | - Erin Stiers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
| | - Schyler A Ellsworth
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
| | - Gunnar S Nystrom
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
| | - Michael P Hogan
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
| | - Daniel A Bartlett
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
| | - Timothy J Colston
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
| | - David M Gilbert
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
| | - Christopher L Parkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634;
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
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13
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Ponce-López R, Neri-Castro E, Borja M, Strickland JL, Alagón A. Neutralizing potency and immunochemical evaluation of an anti-Crotalus mictlantecuhtli experimental serum. Toxicon 2020; 187:171-180. [PMID: 32891663 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Snakebite in Mexico is commonly treated with an antivenom which uses Bothrops asper and Crotalus simus venoms as immunogens. Current taxonomic recommendations for the C. simus species complex suggest a novel endemic species from Mexico: Crotalus mictlantecuhtli. The aim of this report was to evaluate the immunogenic properties of C. mictlantecuhtli venom and its potential to generate polyclonal antibodies capable of neutralizing other pitviper venoms. We generated an experimental anti-Crotalus mictlantecuhtli serum, using the rabbit model, to test recognition and neutralizing capacity against the homologous venom as well as venoms from C. atrox, C.basiliscus, C. durissus terrificus, C. scutulatus salvini, C. tzabcan and Ophryacus sphenophrys. Pre-incubation neutralization experiments using our experimental serum showed positive results against venoms containing crotoxin, while venoms from two non-neurotoxic pit-vipers were not neutralized. Rescue experiments in mice showed that, when intravenously injected (i.v.), C. mictlantecuhtli venom is not neutralized by a maximum dose of Antivipmyn® and the experimental serum after 5 min of envenomation, albeit mice envenomated intraperitoneally (i.p.) and rescued i.v. with Antivipmyn® survived even at 50 min after envenomation. Our results highlight the importance of using the highly neurotoxic C. mictlantecuhtli venom to increase antivenom effectiveness against Mexican neurotoxic pitvipers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ponce-López
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, C.P. 62210, Mexico
| | - Edgar Neri-Castro
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, C.P. 62210, Mexico
| | - Miguel Borja
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Av. Universidad s/n. Fracc. Filadelfia, C.P. 35010 Gómez Palacio, Durango, Mexico
| | - Jason L Strickland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings St, Clemson, SC, 29631, USA
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, C.P. 62210, Mexico.
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14
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Neri-Castro E, Sanz L, Olvera-Rodríguez A, Bénard-Valle M, Alagón A, Calvete JJ. Venomics and biochemical analysis of the black-tailed horned pitviper, Mixcoatlus melanurus, and characterization of Melanurutoxin, a novel crotoxin homolog. J Proteomics 2020; 225:103865. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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15
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Rheubert JL, Meyer MF, Strobel RM, Pasternak MA, Charvat RA. Predicting antibacterial activity from snake venom proteomes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226807. [PMID: 31978103 PMCID: PMC6980403 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The continued evolution of antibiotic resistance has increased the urgency for new antibiotic development, leading to exploration of non-traditional sources. In particular, snake venom has garnered attention for its potent antibacterial properties. Numerous studies describing snake venom proteomic composition as well as antibiotic efficacy have created an opportunity to synthesize relationships between venom proteomes and their antibacterial properties. Using literature reported values from peer-reviewed studies, our study generated models to predict efficacy given venom protein family composition, snake taxonomic family, bacterial Gram stain, bacterial morphology, and bacterial respiration strategy. We then applied our predictive models to untested snake species with known venom proteomic compositions. Overall, our results provide potential protein families that serve as accurate predictors of efficacy as well as promising organisms in terms of antibacterial properties of venom. The results from this study suggest potential future research trajectories for antibacterial properties in snake venom by offering hypotheses for a variety of taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin L. Rheubert
- Department of Biology, University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Michael F. Meyer
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Raeshelle M. Strobel
- Department of Biology, University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Megan A. Pasternak
- Department of Biology, University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Robert A. Charvat
- Department of Biology, University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio, United States of America
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16
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Whittington AC, Mason AJ, Rokyta DR. A Single Mutation Unlocks Cascading Exaptations in the Origin of a Potent Pitviper Neurotoxin. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 35:887-898. [PMID: 29329419 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msx334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary innovations and complex phenotypes seemingly require an improbable amount of genetic change to evolve. Rattlesnakes display two dramatically different venom phenotypes. Type I venoms are hemorrhagic with low systemic toxicity and high expression of tissue-destroying snake venom metalloproteinases. Type II venoms are highly neurotoxic and lack snake venom metalloproteinase expression and associated hemorrhagic activity. This dichotomy hinges on Mojave toxin (MTx), a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) based β-neurotoxin expressed in Type II venoms. MTx is comprised of a nontoxic acidic subunit that undergoes extensive proteolytic processing and allosterically regulates activity of a neurotoxic basic subunit. Evolution of the acidic subunit presents an evolutionary challenge because the need for high expression of a nontoxic venom component and the proteolytic machinery required for processing suggests genetic changes of seemingly little immediate benefit to fitness. We showed that MTx evolved through a cascading series of exaptations unlocked by a single nucleotide change. The evolution of one new cleavage site in the acidic subunit unmasked buried cleavage sites already present in ancestral PLA2s, enabling proteolytic processing. Snake venom serine proteases, already present in the venom to disrupt prey hemostasis, possess the requisite specificities for MTx acidic subunit proteolysis. The dimerization interface between MTx subunits evolved by exploiting a latent, but masked, hydrophobic interaction between ancestral PLA2s. The evolution of MTx through exaptation of existing functional and structural features suggests complex phenotypes that depend on evolutionary innovations can arise from minimal genetic change enabled by prior evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Carl Whittington
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
| | - Andrew J Mason
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
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17
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Neri-Castro E, Hernández-Dávila A, Olvera-Rodríguez A, Cardoso-Torres H, Bénard-Valle M, Bastiaans E, López-Gutierrez O, Alagón A. Detection and quantification of a β-neurotoxin (crotoxin homologs) in the venom of the rattlesnakes Crotalus simus, C. culminatus and C. tzabcan from Mexico. Toxicon X 2019; 2:100007. [PMID: 32550564 PMCID: PMC7286086 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2019.100007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake venom may vary in composition and toxicity across the geographic distribution of a species. In the case of the three species of the Neotropical rattlesnakes Crotalus simus, C. culminatus and C. tzabcan recent research has revealed that their venoms can contain a neurotoxic component (crotoxin homologs), but is not always the case. In the present work, we detected and quantified crotoxin homologs in venom samples from three species distributed across Mexico, to describe variation at the individual and subspecific levels, using slot blot and ELISA immunoassays. We found that all C. simus individuals analyzed had substantial percentages of crotoxin homologs in their venoms (7.6–44.3%). In contrast, C. culminatus lacked them completely and six of ten individuals of the species C. tzabcan had low percentages (3.0–7.7%). We also found a direct relationship between the lethality of a venom and the percentage of crotoxin homologs it contained, indicating that the quantity of this component influences venom lethality in the rattlesnake C. simus. Monoclonal antibodies were produced that specifically recognized crotoxin homologs in venoms of Crotalus species. Crotoxin homologs were quantified in three species of Crotalus: C. simus, C. culminatus and C. tzabcan. All specimens of C. simus contained crotoxin homologs at different levels, while C. culminatus venoms lacked them completely. In C. tzabcan, some venoms possess and other lack crotoxin homologs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Neri-Castro
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Arely Hernández-Dávila
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Olvera-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Héctor Cardoso-Torres
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Melisa Bénard-Valle
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Bastiaans
- Department of Biology, State University of New York at Oneonta, Oneonta, NY, USA
| | - Oswaldo López-Gutierrez
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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18
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Venom characterization of the three species of Ophryacus and proteomic profiling of O. sphenophrys unveils Sphenotoxin, a novel Crotoxin-like heterodimeric β-neurotoxin. J Proteomics 2019; 192:196-207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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19
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Global proteomic and functional analysis of Crotalus durissus collilineatus individual venom variation and its impact on envenoming. J Proteomics 2019; 191:153-165. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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20
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Wiezel GA, Shibao PYT, Cologna CT, Morandi Filho R, Ueira-Vieira C, De Pauw E, Quinton L, Arantes EC. In-Depth Venome of the Brazilian Rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus: An Integrative Approach Combining Its Venom Gland Transcriptome and Venom Proteome. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:3941-3958. [PMID: 30270628 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Snake venoms are complex mixtures mainly composed of proteins and small peptides. Crotoxin is one of the most studied components from Crotalus venoms, but many other components are less known due to their low abundance. The venome of Crotalus durissus terrificus, the most lethal Brazilian snake, was investigated by combining its venom gland transcriptome and proteome to create a holistic database of venom compounds unraveling novel toxins. We constructed a cDNA library from C. d. terrificus venom gland using the Illumina platform and investigated its venom proteome through high resolution liquid chromotography-tandem mass spectrometry. After integrating data from both data sets, more than 30 venom components classes were identified by the transcriptomic analysis and 15 of them were detected in the venom proteome. However, few of them (PLA2, SVMP, SVSP, and VEGF) were relatively abundant. Furthermore, only seven expressed transcripts contributed to ∼82% and ∼73% of the abundance in the transcriptome and proteome, respectively. Additionally, novel venom proteins are reported, and we highlight the importance of using different databases to perform the data integration and discuss the structure of the venom components-related transcripts identified. Concluding, this research paves the way for novel investigations and discovery of future pharmacological agents or targets in the antivenom therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele A Wiezel
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Av. do Café, s/n , 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Priscila Y T Shibao
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Av. do Café, s/n , 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Camila T Cologna
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Av. do Café, s/n , 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Romualdo Morandi Filho
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology Institute , Federal University of Uberlândia , Rua Acre, s/n , 38400-902 Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Carlos Ueira-Vieira
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology Institute , Federal University of Uberlândia , Rua Acre, s/n , 38400-902 Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Edwin De Pauw
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, MolSys Research Unit, Department of Chemistry , University of Liège , Bat. B6c , 4000 Liège , Belgium
| | - Loïc Quinton
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, MolSys Research Unit, Department of Chemistry , University of Liège , Bat. B6c , 4000 Liège , Belgium
| | - Eliane C Arantes
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Av. do Café, s/n , 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
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21
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Comparison of biological and biochemical characteristics of venom from rattlesnakes in the southern Baja California Peninsula. Toxicon 2018; 148:197-201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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22
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Strickland JL, Mason AJ, Rokyta DR, Parkinson CL. Phenotypic Variation in Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) Venom Is Driven by Four Toxin Families. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10040135. [PMID: 29570631 PMCID: PMC5923301 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10040135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic diversity generated through altered gene expression is a primary mechanism facilitating evolutionary response in natural systems. By linking the phenotype to genotype through transcriptomics, it is possible to determine what changes are occurring at the molecular level. High phenotypic diversity has been documented in rattlesnake venom, which is under strong selection due to its role in prey acquisition and defense. Rattlesnake venom can be characterized by the presence (Type A) or absence (Type B) of a type of neurotoxic phospholipase A2 (PLA2), such as Mojave toxin, that increases venom toxicity. Mojave rattlesnakes (Crotalus scutulatus), represent this diversity as both venom types are found within this species and within a single panmictic population in the Sonoran Desert. We used comparative venom gland transcriptomics of nine specimens of C. scutulatus from this region to test whether expression differences explain diversity within and between venom types. Type A individuals expressed significantly fewer toxins than Type B individuals owing to the diversity of C-type lectins (CTLs) and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) found in Type B animals. As expected, both subunits of Mojave toxin were exclusively found in Type A individuals but we found high diversity in four additional PLA2s that was not associated with a venom type. Myotoxin a expression and toxin number variation was not associated with venom type, and myotoxin a had the highest range of expression of any toxin class. Our study represents the most comprehensive transcriptomic profile of the venom type dichotomy in rattlesnakes and C. scutulatus. Even intra-specifically, Mojave rattlesnakes showcase the diversity of snake venoms and illustrate that variation within venom types blurs the distinction of the venom dichotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason L Strickland
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4110 Libra Drive, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
| | - Andrew J Mason
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings St., Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
| | - Christopher L Parkinson
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4110 Libra Drive, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
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Quintana-Castillo JC, Vargas LJ, Segura C, Estrada-Gómez S, Bueno-Sánchez JC, Alarcón JC. Characterization of the Venom of C. d. cumanesis of Colombia: Proteomic Analysis and Antivenomic Study. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10020085. [PMID: 29462980 PMCID: PMC5848186 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10020085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Colombian rattlesnake Crotalus durissus cumanensis is distributed in three geographic zones of the country: the Atlantic Coast, the upper valley of the Magdalena River, and the eastern plains of the Colombian Orinoquía. Its venom induces neurological symptoms, such as eyelid ptosis, myasthenic facies, and paralysis of the respiratory muscles, which can lead to death. Identification and analysis of C. d. cumanensis showed nine groups of proteins responsible for the neurotoxic effect, of which the crotoxin complex was the most abundant (64.71%). Immunorecognition tests of C. d. cumanensis showed that the use of a commercial antivenom manufactured in Mexico resulted in immunoreactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Quintana-Castillo
- School of Medicine, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Sede Medellín, Street 50 A N° 41-20, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| | - Leidy Johana Vargas
- School of Medicine, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Sede Medellín, Street 50 A N° 41-20, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| | - Cesar Segura
- Malaria Group, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia UdeA, Street 70 N° 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| | - Sebastian Estrada-Gómez
- Ophidism/Scorpionism Program, Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia UdeA, Street 70 N° 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| | - Julio César Bueno-Sánchez
- Reproduction Group, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia UdeA, Street 70 N° 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| | - Juan Carlos Alarcón
- Ophidism/Scorpionism Program, Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia UdeA, Street 70 N° 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
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Biological and Proteolytic Variation in the Venom of Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus from Mexico. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10010035. [PMID: 29316683 PMCID: PMC5793122 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rattlesnake venoms may be classified according to the presence/absence and relative abundance of the neurotoxic phospholipases A2s (PLA2s), such as Mojave toxin, and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs). In Mexico, studies to determine venom variation in Mojave Rattlesnakes (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) are limited and little is known about the biological and proteolytic activities in this species. Tissue (34) and venom (29) samples were obtained from C. s. scutulatus from different locations within their distribution in Mexico. Mojave toxin detection was carried out at the genomic (by PCR) and protein (by ELISA) levels for all tissue and venom samples. Biological activity was tested on representative venoms by measuring LD50 and hemorrhagic activity. To determine the approximate amount of SVMPs, 15 venoms were separated by RP-HPLC and variation in protein profile and proteolytic activity was evaluated by SDS-PAGE (n = 28) and Hide Powder Azure proteolytic analysis (n = 27). Three types of venom were identified in Mexico which is comparable to the intraspecific venom diversity observed in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, USA: Venom Type A (∼Type II), with Mojave toxin, highly toxic, lacking hemorrhagic activity, and with scarce proteolytic activity; Type B (∼Type I), without Mojave toxin, less toxic than Type A, highly hemorrhagic and proteolytic; and Type A + B, containing Mojave toxin, as toxic as venom Type A, variable in hemorrhagic activity and with intermediate proteolytic activity. We also detected a positive correlation between SVMP abundance and hemorrhagic and proteolytic activities. Although more sampling is necessary, our results suggest that venoms containing Mojave toxin and venom lacking this toxin are distributed in the northwest and southeast portions of the distribution in Mexico, respectively, while an intergradation in the middle of both zones is present.
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Rivas E, Neri-Castro E, Bénard-Valle M, Hernánez-Dávila AI, Zamudio F, Alagón A. General characterization of the venoms from two species of rattlesnakes and an intergrade population (C. lepidus x aquilus) from Aguascalientes and Zacatecas, Mexico. Toxicon 2017; 138:191-195. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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26
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A Review and Database of Snake Venom Proteomes. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9090290. [PMID: 28927001 PMCID: PMC5618223 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9090290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 324] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in the last decade combining transcriptomics with established proteomics methods have made possible rapid identification and quantification of protein families in snake venoms. Although over 100 studies have been published, the value of this information is increased when it is collated, allowing rapid assimilation and evaluation of evolutionary trends, geographical variation, and possible medical implications. This review brings together all compositional studies of snake venom proteomes published in the last decade. Compositional studies were identified for 132 snake species: 42 from 360 (12%) Elapidae (elapids), 20 from 101 (20%) Viperinae (true vipers), 65 from 239 (27%) Crotalinae (pit vipers), and five species of non-front-fanged snakes. Approximately 90% of their total venom composition consisted of eight protein families for elapids, 11 protein families for viperines and ten protein families for crotalines. There were four dominant protein families: phospholipase A2s (the most common across all front-fanged snakes), metalloproteases, serine proteases and three-finger toxins. There were six secondary protein families: cysteine-rich secretory proteins, l-amino acid oxidases, kunitz peptides, C-type lectins/snaclecs, disintegrins and natriuretic peptides. Elapid venoms contained mostly three-finger toxins and phospholipase A2s and viper venoms metalloproteases, phospholipase A2s and serine proteases. Although 63 protein families were identified, more than half were present in <5% of snake species studied and always in low abundance. The importance of these minor component proteins remains unknown.
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Durban J, Sanz L, Trevisan-Silva D, Neri-Castro E, Alagón A, Calvete JJ. Integrated Venomics and Venom Gland Transcriptome Analysis of Juvenile and Adult Mexican Rattlesnakes Crotalus simus, C. tzabcan, and C. culminatus Revealed miRNA-modulated Ontogenetic Shifts. J Proteome Res 2017; 16:3370-3390. [PMID: 28731347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Adult rattlesnakes within genus Crotalus express one of two distinct venom phenotypes, type I (hemorrhagic) and type II (neurotoxic). In Costa Rican Central American rattlesnake, ontogenetic changes in the concentration of miRNAs modulate venom type II to type I transition. Venomics and venom gland transcriptome analyses showed that adult C. simus and C. tzabcan expressed intermediate patterns between type II and type I venoms, whereas C. culminatus had a canonical type I venom. Neonate/juvenile and adult Mexican rattlesnakes showed notable inter- and intraspecific variability in the number, type, abundance and ontogenetic shifts of the transcriptional and translational venom gland activities. These results support a role for miRNAs in the ontogenetic venom compositional changes in the three congeneric Mexican rattlesnakes. It is worth noting the finding of dual-action miRNAs, which silence the translation of neurotoxic heterodimeric PLA2 crotoxin and acidic PLA2 mRNAs while simultaneously up-regulating SVMP-targeting mRNAs. Dual transcriptional regulation potentially explains the existence of mutually exclusive crotoxin-rich (type-II) and SVMP-rich (type-I) venom phenotypic dichotomy among rattlesnakes. Our results support the hypothesis that alterations of the distribution of miRNAs, modulating the translational activity of venom gland toxin-encoding mRNAs in response to an external cue, may contribute to the mechanism generating adaptive venom variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Durban
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Jaime Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Libia Sanz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Jaime Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Dilza Trevisan-Silva
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Jaime Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Federal University of Paraná , Jardim das Américas, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Edgar Neri-Castro
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Jaime Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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Observations on the chemosensory responses of the midget faded rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus concolor): discrimination of envenomated prey in a type II venom species. J ETHOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-017-0511-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Segura Á, Herrera M, Reta Mares F, Jaime C, Sánchez A, Vargas M, Villalta M, Gómez A, Gutiérrez JM, León G. Proteomic, toxicological and immunogenic characterization of Mexican west-coast rattlesnake ( Crotalus basiliscus ) venom and its immunological relatedness with the venom of Central American rattlesnake ( Crotalus simus ). J Proteomics 2017; 158:62-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Venomics: integrative venom proteomics and beyond*. Biochem J 2017; 474:611-634. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Venoms are integrated phenotypes that evolved independently in, and are used for predatory and defensive purposes by, a wide phylogenetic range of organisms. The same principles that contribute to the evolutionary success of venoms, contribute to making the study of venoms of great interest in such diverse fields as evolutionary ecology and biotechnology. Evolution is profoundly contingent, and nature also reinvents itself continuosly. Changes in a complex phenotypic trait, such as venom, reflect the influences of prior evolutionary history, chance events, and selection. Reconstructing the natural history of venoms, particularly those of snakes, which will be dealt with in more detail in this review, requires the integration of different levels of knowledge into a meaningful and comprehensive evolutionary framework for separating stochastic changes from adaptive evolution. The application of omics technologies and other disciplines have contributed to a qualitative and quantitative advance in the road map towards this goal. In this review we will make a foray into the world of animal venoms, discuss synergies and complementarities of the different approaches used in their study, and identify current bottlenecks that prevent inferring the evolutionary mechanisms and ecological constraints that molded snake venoms to their present-day variability landscape.
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Lomonte B, Rey-Suárez P, Fernández J, Sasa M, Pla D, Vargas N, Bénard-Valle M, Sanz L, Corrêa-Netto C, Núñez V, Alape-Girón A, Alagón A, Gutiérrez JM, Calvete JJ. Venoms of Micrurus coral snakes: Evolutionary trends in compositional patterns emerging from proteomic analyses. Toxicon 2016; 122:7-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Pla D, Sanz L, Sasa M, Acevedo ME, Dwyer Q, Durban J, Pérez A, Rodriguez Y, Lomonte B, Calvete JJ. Proteomic analysis of venom variability and ontogeny across the arboreal palm-pitvipers (genus Bothriechis). J Proteomics 2016; 152:1-12. [PMID: 27777178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Bothriechis is a genus of eleven currently recognized slender and arboreal venomous snakes, commonly called palm-pitvipers that range from southern Mexico to northern South America. Despite dietary studies suggesting that palm-pitvipers are generalists with an ontogenetic shift toward endothermic prey, venom proteomic analyses have revealed remarkable divergence between the venoms of the Costa Rican species, B. lateralis, B. schlegelii, B. supraciliaris, and B. nigroviridis. To achieve a more complete picture of the venomic landscape across Bothriechis, the venom proteomes of biodiversity of the northern Middle American highland palm-pitvipers, B. thalassinus, B. aurifer, and B. bicolor from Guatemala, B. marchi from Honduras, and neonate Costa Rican B. lateralis and B. schlegelii, were investigated. B. thalassinus and B. aurifer venoms are comprised by similar toxin arsenals dominated by SVMPs (33-39% of the venom proteome), CTLs (11-16%), BPP-like molecules (10-13%), and CRISPs (5-10%), and are characterized by the absence of PLA2 proteins. Conversely, the predominant (35%) components of B. bicolor are D49-PLA2 molecules. The venom proteome of B. marchi is similar to B. aurifer and B. thalassinus in that it is rich in SVMPs and BPPs, but also contains appreciable amounts (14.3%) of PLA2s. The major toxin family found in the venoms of both neonate B. lateralis and B. schlegelii, is serine proteinase (SVSP), comprising about 20% of their toxin arsenals. The venom of neonate B. schlegelii is the only palm-pitviper venom where relative high amounts of Kunitz-type (6.3%) and γPLA2 (5.2%) inhibitors have been identified. Despite notable differences between their proteomes, neonate venoms are more similar to each other than to adults of their respective species. However, the ontogenetic changes taking place in the venom of B. lateralis strongly differ from those that occur in the venom of B. schlegelii. Thus, the ontogenetic change in B. lateralis produces a SVMP-rich venom, whereas in B. schlegelii the age-dependent compositional shift generates a PLA2-rich venom. Overall, genus-wide venomics illustrate the high evolvability of palm-pitviper venoms. The integration of the pattern of venom variation across Bothriechis into a phylogenetic and biogeographic framework may lay the foundation for assessing, in future studies, the evolutionary path that led to the present-day variability of the venoms of palm-pitvipers. SIGNIFICANCE Bothriechis represents a monophyletic basal genus of eleven arboreal palm-pitvipers that range from southern Mexico to northern South America. Despite palm-pitvipers' putative status as diet generalists, previous proteomic analyses have revealed remarkable divergence between the venoms of Costa Rican species, B. lateralis, B. schlegelii, B. supraciliaris, and B. nigroviridis. Our current proteomic study of Guatemalan species, B. thalassinus, B. aurifer, and B. bicolor, Honduran B. marchi, and neonate B. lateralis and B. schlegelii from Costa Rica was undertaken to deepen our understanding of the evolutionary pattern of venom proteome diversity across Bothriechis. Ancestral characters are often, but not always, preserved in an organism's development. Venoms of neonate B. lateralis and B. schlegelii are more similar to each other than to adults of their respective species, suggesting that the high evolvability of palm-pitviper venoms may represent an inherent feature of Bothriechis common ancestor. Our genus-wide data identified four nodes of venom phenotype differentiation across the phylogeny of Bothriechis. Integrated into a phylogenetic and biogeographic framework, the pattern of venom variation across Bothriechis may lay the groundwork to establish whether divergence was driven by selection for efficient resource exploitation in arboreal 'islands', thereby contributing to the ecological speciation of the genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davinia Pla
- Structural and Functional Venomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Libia Sanz
- Structural and Functional Venomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mahmood Sasa
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Manuel E Acevedo
- Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas, Centro de Datos para la Conservacion, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
| | - Quetzal Dwyer
- Parque Reptilandia, Platanillo between Dominical & San Isidro, 8000 Dominical, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
| | - Jordi Durban
- Structural and Functional Venomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alicia Pérez
- Structural and Functional Venomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yania Rodriguez
- Structural and Functional Venomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Structural and Functional Venomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain.
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Mackessy SP, Saviola AJ. Understanding Biological Roles of Venoms Among the Caenophidia: The Importance of Rear-Fanged Snakes. Integr Comp Biol 2016; 56:1004-1021. [PMID: 27639275 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icw110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Snake venoms represent an adaptive trophic response to the challenges confronting a limbless predator for overcoming combative prey, and this chemical means of subduing prey shows several dominant phenotypes. Many front-fanged snakes, particularly vipers, feed on various vertebrate and invertebrate prey species, and some of their venom components (e.g., metalloproteinases, cobratoxin) appear to have been selected for "broad-brush" incapacitation of different prey taxa. Using proteomic and genomic techniques, the compositional diversity of front-fanged snakes is becoming well characterized; however, this is not the case for most rear-fanged colubroid snakes. Because these species consume a high diversity of prey, and because venoms are primarily a trophic adaptation, important clues for understanding specific selective pressures favoring venom component composition will be found among rear-fanged snake venoms. Rear-fanged snakes typically (but not always) produce venoms with lower complexity than front-fanged snakes, and there are even fewer dominant (and, arguably, biologically most relevant) venom protein families. We have demonstrated taxon-specific toxic effects, where lizards and birds show high susceptibility while mammals are largely unaffected, for both Old World and New World rear-fanged snakes, strongly indicating a causal link between toxin evolution and prey preference. New data are presented on myotoxin a, showing that the extremely rapid paralysis induced by this rattlesnake toxin is specific for rodents, and that myotoxin a is ineffectual against lizards. Relatively few rear-fanged snake venoms have been characterized, and basic natural history data are largely lacking, but directed sampling of specialized species indicates that novel compounds are likely among these specialists, particularly among those species feeding on invertebrate prey such as scorpions and centipedes. Because many of the more than 2200 species of colubroid snakes are rear-fanged, and many possess a Duvernoy's venom gland, understanding the nature of their venoms is foundational to understanding venom evolution in advanced snakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen P Mackessy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, 501 20th St, Greeley, CO 80639-0017, USA
| | - Anthony J Saviola
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, 501 20th St, Greeley, CO 80639-0017, USA
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Sintiprungrat K, Chaisuriya P, Watcharatanyatip K, Ratanabanangkoon K. Immunoaffinity chromatography in antivenomics studies: Various parameters that can affect the results. Toxicon 2016; 119:129-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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The effects of hybridization on divergent venom phenotypes: Characterization of venom from Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus × Crotalus oreganus helleri hybrids. Toxicon 2016; 120:110-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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36
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Pineda Guerra Y, Betancur Echeverri J, Pedroza-Díaz J, Delgado-Trejos E, Röthlisberger S. Análisis proteómico del veneno de la abeja africanizada: comparación de métodos de extracción. ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA 2016. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v21n3.54046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
La abeja africanizada es la más común en la apicultura colombiana y a su veneno (apitoxina) se le han atribuido propiedades terapéuticas para diferentes enfermedades, sin mayor soporte científico. Al revisar en la literatura los reportes publicados sobre el análisis proteómico de la apitoxina, se encontraron cuatro métodos distintos para la extracción de proteínas de la apitoxina. El primer método consiste en resuspender la apitoxina en Urea 7 M, precipitar con acetona y finalmente resuspender en Urea 7 M y CHAPS 4 %. Para el segundo método se resuspende la apitoxina en buffer de lisis, se precipita con ácido tricloroacético, y luego se resuspende en Urea 7 M y CHAPS 4 %. El tercer método es igual al anterior, excepto que la precipitación se realiza con acetona en vez de ácido tricloroacético. Finalmente, el cuarto método consiste en resuspender la apitoxina en agua destilada, precipitar con acetona y resuspender en Urea 7 M y CHAPS 4 %. Este trabajo se enfocó en comparar el desempeño de estos cuatro métodos de extracción y determinar el método con el mejor resultado en cuanto a la concentración e integridad obtenida de las proteínas. De los distintos métodos evaluados, se encontró que los mejores resultados en cuanto a concentración de proteínas se obtuvieron con la resuspensión de apitoxina en buffer de lisis y precipitación con acetona (método 3) y con el método de resuspensión de apitoxina en agua destilada y precipitación con acetona (método 4). De estos, el mejor método de extracción en cuanto a integridad de las proteínas y perfil proteómico fue el de resuspensión de apitoxina en buffer de lisis seguido de precipitación con acetona (método 3).
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Debono J, Cochran C, Kuruppu S, Nouwens A, Rajapakse NW, Kawasaki M, Wood K, Dobson J, Baumann K, Jouiaei M, Jackson TNW, Koludarov I, Low D, Ali SA, Smith AI, Barnes A, Fry BG. Canopy Venom: Proteomic Comparison among New World Arboreal Pit-Viper Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8070210. [PMID: 27399777 PMCID: PMC4963843 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8070210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2015] [Revised: 05/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Central and South American pitvipers, belonging to the genera Bothrops and Bothriechis, have independently evolved arboreal tendencies. Little is known regarding the composition and activity of their venoms. In order to close this knowledge gap, venom proteomics and toxin activity of species of Bothriechis, and Bothrops (including Bothriopsis) were investigated through established analytical methods. A combination of proteomics and bioactivity techniques was used to demonstrate a similar diversification of venom composition between large and small species within Bothriechis and Bothriopsis. Increasing our understanding of the evolution of complex venom cocktails may facilitate future biodiscoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Debono
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Chip Cochran
- Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
| | - Sanjaya Kuruppu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Amanda Nouwens
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Niwanthi W Rajapakse
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
- Department of Physiology, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Minami Kawasaki
- Aquatic Animal Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia.
| | - Kelly Wood
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - James Dobson
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Kate Baumann
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Mahdokht Jouiaei
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Timothy N W Jackson
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Ivan Koludarov
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Dolyce Low
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Syed A Ali
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, ICCBS, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.
| | - A Ian Smith
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Andrew Barnes
- Aquatic Animal Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Proteomic analysis of the rare Uracoan rattlesnake Crotalus vegrandis venom: Evidence of a broad arsenal of toxins. Toxicon 2015; 107:234-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Abstract
Snake envenomation is a global problem and often a matter of life or death. Emergency treatment is not always readily available or effective. There are numerous neurotoxic snakes in the Americas, chiefly elapids; some crotalids have also evolved neurotoxic venom. The variability of neurotoxins found in snake venom within the same species makes development and choice of proper antivenom a major challenge that has not been completely addressed. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical effects, and current treatment of neurotoxic snake envenomation in the Americas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry D Rolan
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO
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40
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Melani RD, Araujo GD, Carvalho PC, Goto L, Nogueira FC, Junqueira M, Domont GB. Seeing beyond the tip of the iceberg: A deep analysis of the venome of the Brazilian Rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus. EUPA OPEN PROTEOMICS 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.euprot.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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41
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Comparative venomics of the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) from Colorado: Identification of a novel pattern of ontogenetic changes in venom composition and assessment of the immunoreactivity of the commercial antivenom CroFab®. J Proteomics 2015; 121:28-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Li R, Yu H, Xue W, Yue Y, Liu S, Xing R, Li P. Jellyfish venomics and venom gland transcriptomics analysis of Stomolophus meleagris to reveal the toxins associated with sting. J Proteomics 2014; 106:17-29. [PMID: 24747124 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris is a very dangerous animal because of its strong toxicity. However, the composition of the venom is still unclear. Both proteomics and transcriptomics approaches were applied in present study to investigate the major components and their possible relationships to the sting. The proteomics of the venom from S. meleagris was conducted by tryptic digestion of the crude venom followed by RP-HPLC separation and MS/MS analysis of the tryptic peptides. The venom gland transcriptome was analyzed using a high-throughput Illumina sequencing platform HiSeq 2000 with de novo assembly. A total of 218 toxins were identified including C-type lectin, phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), potassium channel inhibitor, protease inhibitor, metalloprotease, hemolysin and other toxins, most of which should be responsible for the sting. Among them, serine protease inhibitor, PLA₂, potassium channel inhibitor and metalloprotease are predominant, representing 28.44%, 21.56%, 16.06% and 15.14% of the identified venom proteins, respectively. Overall, our combined proteomics and transcriptomics approach provides a systematic overview of the toxins in the venom of jellyfish S. meleagris and it will be significant to understand the mechanism of the sting. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris is a very dangerous animal because of its strong toxicity. It often bloomed in the coast of China in recent years and caused thousands of people stung and even deaths every year. However, the components which caused sting are still unknown yet. In addition, no study about the venomics of jellyfish S. meleagris has been reported. In the present study, both proteomics and transcriptomics approaches were applied to investigate the major components related to the sting. The result showed that major component included C-type lectin, phospholipase A₂, potassium channel inhibitor, protease inhibitor, metalloprotease, hemolysin and other toxins, which should be responsible for the effect of sting. This is the first research about the venomics of jellyfish S. meleagris. It will be significant to understand the mechanism of the biological effects and helpful to develop ways to deal with the sting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongfeng Li
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Huahua Yu
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wei Xue
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yang Yue
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Song Liu
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Ronge Xing
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Pengcheng Li
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China.
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43
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Calvete JJ. Next-generation snake venomics: protein-locus resolution through venom proteome decomplexation. Expert Rev Proteomics 2014; 11:315-29. [PMID: 24678852 DOI: 10.1586/14789450.2014.900447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Venom research has been continuously enhanced by technological advances. High-throughput technologies are changing the classical paradigm of hypothesis-driven research to technology-driven approaches. However, the thesis advocated in this paper is that full proteome coverage at locus-specific resolution requires integrating the best of both worlds into a protocol that includes decomplexation of the venom proteome prior to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry matching against a species-specific transcriptome. This approach offers the possibility of proof-checking the species-specific contig database using proteomics data. Immunoaffinity chromatography constitutes the basis of an antivenomics workflow designed to quantify the extent of cross-reactivity of antivenoms against homologous and heterologous venom toxins. In the author's view, snake venomics and antivenomics form part of a biology-driven conceptual framework to unveil the genesis and natural history of venoms, and their within- and between-species toxicological and immunological divergences and similarities. Understanding evolutionary trends across venoms represents the Rosetta Stone for generating broad-ranging polyspecific antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Jaime Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain +34 963 391 778 +34 963 690 800
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Lomonte B, Fernández J, Sanz L, Angulo Y, Sasa M, Gutiérrez JM, Calvete JJ. Venomous snakes of Costa Rica: biological and medical implications of their venom proteomic profiles analyzed through the strategy of snake venomics. J Proteomics 2014; 105:323-39. [PMID: 24576642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In spite of its small territory of ~50,000km(2), Costa Rica harbors a remarkably rich biodiversity. Its herpetofauna includes 138 species of snakes, of which sixteen pit vipers (family Viperidae, subfamily Crotalinae), five coral snakes (family Elapidae, subfamily Elapinae), and one sea snake (Family Elapidae, subfamily Hydrophiinae) pose potential hazards to human and animal health. In recent years, knowledge on the composition of snake venoms has expanded dramatically thanks to the development of increasingly fast and sensitive analytical techniques in mass spectrometry and separation science applied to protein characterization. Among several analytical strategies to determine the overall protein/peptide composition of snake venoms, the methodology known as 'snake venomics' has proven particularly well suited and informative, by providing not only a catalog of protein types/families present in a venom, but also a semi-quantitative estimation of their relative abundances. Through a collaborative research initiative between Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV) and Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP), this strategy has been applied to the study of venoms of Costa Rican snakes, aiming to obtain a deeper knowledge on their composition, geographic and ontogenic variations, relationships to taxonomy, correlation with toxic activities, and discovery of novel components. The proteomic profiles of venoms from sixteen out of the 22 species within the Viperidae and Elapidae families found in Costa Rica have been reported so far, and an integrative view of these studies is hereby presented. In line with other venomic projects by research groups focusing on a wide variety of snakes around the world, these studies contribute to a deeper understanding of the biochemical basis for the diverse toxic profiles evolved by venomous snakes. In addition, these studies provide opportunities to identify novel molecules of potential pharmacological interest. Furthermore, the establishment of venom proteomic profiles offers a fundamental platform to assess the detailed immunorecognition of individual proteins/peptides by therapeutic or experimental antivenoms, an evolving methodology for which the term 'antivenomics' was coined (as described in an accompanying paper in this special issue). BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Venoms represent an adaptive trait and an example of both divergent and convergent evolution. A deep understanding of the composition of venoms and of the principles governing the evolution of venomous systems is of applied importance for exploring the enormous potential of venoms as sources of chemical and pharmacological novelty but also to fight the consequences of snakebite envenomings. Key to this is the identification of evolutionary and ecological trends at different taxonomical levels. However, the evolution of venomous species and their venoms do not always follow the same course, and the identification of structural and functional convergences and divergences among venoms is often unpredictable by a phylogenetic hypothesis. Snake venomics is a proteomic-centered strategy to deconstruct the complex molecular phenotypes the venom proteomes. The proteomic profiles of venoms from sixteen out of the 22 venomous species within the Viperidae and Elapidae families found in Costa Rica have been completed so far. An integrative view of their venom composition, including the identification of geographic and ontogenic variations, is hereby presented. Venom proteomic profiles offer a fundamental platform to assess the detailed immunorecognition of individual venom components by therapeutic or experimental antivenoms. This aspect is reviewed in the companion paper. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics of non-model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Julián Fernández
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Libia Sanz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Spain
| | - Yamileth Angulo
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Mahmood Sasa
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Sunagar K, Undheim EAB, Scheib H, Gren ECK, Cochran C, Person CE, Koludarov I, Kelln W, Hayes WK, King GF, Antunes A, Fry BG. Intraspecific venom variation in the medically significant Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri): biodiscovery, clinical and evolutionary implications. J Proteomics 2014; 99:68-83. [PMID: 24463169 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 01/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Due to the extreme variation of venom, which consequently results in drastically variable degrees of neutralization by CroFab antivenom, the management and treatment of envenoming by Crotalus oreganus helleri (the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake), one of the most medically significant snake species in all of North America, has been a clinician's nightmare. This snake has also been the subject of sensational news stories regarding supposed rapid (within the last few decades) evolution of its venom. This research demonstrates for the first time that variable evolutionary selection pressures sculpt the intraspecific molecular diversity of venom components in C. o. helleri. We show that myotoxic β-defensin peptides (aka: crotamines/small basic myotoxic peptides) are secreted in large amounts by all populations. However, the mature toxin-encoding nucleotide regions evolve under the constraints of negative selection, likely as a result of their non-specific mode of action which doesn't enforce them to follow the regime of the classic predator-prey chemical arms race. The hemorrhagic and tissue destroying snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) were secreted in larger amounts by the Catalina Island and Phelan rattlesnake populations, in moderate amounts in the Loma Linda population and in only trace levels by the Idyllwild population. Only the Idyllwild population in the San Jacinto Mountains contained potent presynaptic neurotoxic phospholipase A2 complex characteristic of Mohave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) and Neotropical Rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus). The derived heterodimeric lectin toxins characteristic of viper venoms, which exhibit a diversity of biological activities, including anticoagulation, agonism/antagonism of platelet activation, or procoagulation, appear to have evolved under extremely variable selection pressures. While most lectin α- and β-chains evolved rapidly under the influence of positive Darwinian selection, the β-chain lectin of the Catalina Island population appears to have evolved under the constraint of negative selection. Both lectin chains were conspicuously absent in both the proteomics and transcriptomics of the Idyllwild population. Thus, we not only highlight the tremendous biochemical diversity in C. o. helleri's venom-arsenal, but we also show that they experience remarkably variable strengths of evolutionary selection pressures, within each toxin class among populations and among toxin classes within each population. The mapping of geographical venom variation not only provides additional information regarding venom evolution, but also has direct medical implications by allowing prediction of the clinical effects of rattlesnake bites from different regions. Such information, however, also points to these highly variable venoms as being a rich source of novel toxins which may ultimately prove to be useful in drug design and development. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE These results have direct implications for the treatment of envenomed patients. The variable venom profile of Crotalus oreganus helleri underscores the biodiscovery potential of novel snake venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Sunagar
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Holger Scheib
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Eric C K Gren
- Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Chip Cochran
- Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Carl E Person
- Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Ivan Koludarov
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wayne Kelln
- Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - William K Hayes
- Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Agosthino Antunes
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Bryan Grieg Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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46
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Snake venomics: From the inventory of toxins to biology. Toxicon 2013; 75:44-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Revised: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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47
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Lomonte B, Tsai WC, Ureña-Diaz JM, Sanz L, Mora-Obando D, Sánchez EE, Fry BG, Gutiérrez JM, Gibbs HL, Sovic MG, Calvete JJ. Venomics of New World pit vipers: genus-wide comparisons of venom proteomes across Agkistrodon. J Proteomics 2013; 96:103-16. [PMID: 24211403 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED We report a genus-wide comparison of venom proteome variation across New World pit vipers in the genus Agkistrodon. Despite the wide variety of habitats occupied by this genus and that all its taxa feed on diverse species of vertebrates and invertebrate prey, the venom proteomes of copperheads, cottonmouths, and cantils are remarkably similar, both in the type and relative abundance of their different toxin families. The venoms from all the eleven species and subspecies sampled showed relatively similar proteolytic and PLA2 activities. In contrast, quantitative differences were observed in hemorrhagic and myotoxic activities in mice. The highest myotoxic activity was observed with the venoms of A. b. bilineatus, followed by A. p. piscivorus, whereas the venoms of A. c. contortrix and A. p. leucostoma induced the lowest myotoxic activity. The venoms of Agkistrodon bilineatus subspecies showed the highest hemorrhagic activity and A. c. contortrix the lowest. Compositional and toxicological analyses agree with clinical observations of envenomations by Agkistrodon in the USA and Central America. A comparative analysis of Agkistrodon shows that venom divergence tracks phylogeny of this genus to a greater extent than in Sistrurus rattlesnakes, suggesting that the distinct natural histories of Agkistrodon and Sistrurus clades may have played a key role in molding the patterns of evolution of their venom protein genes. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE A deep understanding of the structural and functional profiles of venoms and of the principles governing the evolution of venomous systems is a goal of venomics. Isolated proteomics analyses have been conducted on venoms from many species of vipers and pit vipers. However, making sense of these large inventories of data requires the integration of this information across multiple species to identify evolutionary and ecological trends. Our genus-wide venomics study provides a comprehensive overview of the toxic arsenal across Agkistrodon and a ground for understanding the natural histories of, and clinical observations of envenomations by, species of this genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Wan-Chih Tsai
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Juan Manuel Ureña-Diaz
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Libia Sanz
- Laboratorio de Venómica y Proteinómica Estructural, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Diana Mora-Obando
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Elda E Sánchez
- National Natural Toxins Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, MSC 224, 975 West Avenue B, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - H Lisle Gibbs
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Michael G Sovic
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Laboratorio de Venómica y Proteinómica Estructural, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain.
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48
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Comparison of venom composition and biological activities of the subspecies Crotalus lepidus lepidus, Crotalus lepidus klauberi and Crotalus lepidus morulus from Mexico. Toxicon 2013; 71:84-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Revised: 05/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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49
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Warrell DA, Gutiérrez JM, Calvete JJ, Williams D. New approaches & technologies of venomics to meet the challenge of human envenoming by snakebites in India. Indian J Med Res 2013; 138:38-59. [PMID: 24056555 PMCID: PMC3767246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The direct estimate of 46,000 snakebite deaths in India in 2005 (1 for every 2 HIV/AIDS deaths), based on verbal autopsies, renders unrealistic the total of only 47,000 snakebite deaths in the whole world in 2010, obtained indirectly as part of the "Global Burden of Disease 2010" study. Persistent underestimation of its true morbidity and mortality has made snakebite the most neglected of all the WHO's "neglected tropical diseases", downgrading its public health importance. Strategies to address this neglect should include the improvement of antivenom, the only specific antidote to envenoming. To accommodate increased understanding of geographical intraspecific variation in venom composition and the range of snake species that are medically important in India, the design of antivenoms (choice of venom sources and species coverage) should be reconsidered. Methods of preclinical and clinical testing should be improved. The relatively new science of venomics involves techniques and strategies for assessing the toxin composition of snake venoms directly through proteomics-centred approaches or indirectly via high-throughput venom gland transcriptomics and bioinformatic analysis. Antivenomics is translational venomics: a proteomics-based protocol to quantify the extent of cross-reactivity of antivenoms against homologous and heterologous venoms. These approaches could revolutionize the preclinical assessment of antivenom efficacy, leading to a new generation of antivenoms that are clinically more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Warrell
- Global Snakebite Initiative, P.O. Box 193, Herston, Qld, 4029, Australia,Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK,Reprint requests: Prof. David A. Warrell, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK e-mail:
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Global Snakebite Initiative, P.O. Box 193, Herston, Qld, 4029, Australia,Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Juan J. Calvete
- Global Snakebite Initiative, P.O. Box 193, Herston, Qld, 4029, Australia,Laboratorio de Venómica y Proteinómíca Estructural, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Jaime Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - David Williams
- Global Snakebite Initiative, P.O. Box 193, Herston, Qld, 4029, Australia,Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, 3010. Australia,School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea
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50
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Castro EN, Lomonte B, del Carmen Gutiérrez M, Alagón A, Gutiérrez JM. Intraspecies variation in the venom of the rattlesnake Crotalus simus from Mexico: Different expression of crotoxin results in highly variable toxicity in the venoms of three subspecies. J Proteomics 2013; 87:103-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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