Characterization of microvesicles present in Crotalus durissus terrificus venom

• Grant number: 10/50115-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2010
• End date: July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Norma Yamanouye
• Grantee: Norma Yamanouye
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Numerous electron-dense microvesicles with bilayer membrane varying in size from 40 a 80 nm are consistently observed on the luminal face of secretory cells of the venom glands of Viperidae snakes. The microvesicles were found mainly in regions of exocytosis and also in the venom. Recently, it has been shown that the release of microvesicles into the venom occurs by fragmentation or membrane budding from microvilli. Intramembranous particles in P-face were found in these microvesicles, suggesting transmembrane proteins. The aim of this study is to characterize the microvesicles of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom by analyzing the proteins present in these vesicles and identify the possible role of these proteins. The proteins present in the microvesicles could have a role in the regulation of toxins activity or even a biological activity that could contribute to symptom of envenoming by viper snakes. (AU)