Coagulotoxic effects of Brazilian snake venoms: role in adaptive evolution and human pathophysiological implications

• Grant number: 17/50268-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Agreement: University of Queensland
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Ana Maria Moura da Silva
• Grantee: Ana Maria Moura da Silva
• Principal researcher abroad: Bryan Fry
• Institution abroad: University of Queensland, Brisbane (UQ), Australia
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The blood coagulation and fibrinolytic systems have been convergent acted upon by toxic organisms on multiple occasions. Brazil is one of the major countries affected by snakebite and the leading cause of snakebite is from species with coagulotoxic venoms, particularly in Bothrops snakes, which predominate in the whole Brazilian territory. However, the current knowledge about coagulotoxic components of Bothrops venoms refers to the mechanisms of action of individual toxins or evolutionary inferences based on their relative abundance in venoms from different species. Here, we propose to examine the structural and functional constraints that act as selection pressures upon coagulotoxin evolution. These effects will be tested using the state-of-the-art equipment in the UQ Integrative Blood Coagulation Research Core Facility directed by CI Fry and a wide array of Brazilian snake venoms from different genera. By making use of several assays that monitor the global coagulation system, we will qualitatively and quantitatively assess the (pro) coagulant characteristics of the snake venoms and purified toxins. In addition to contributing to the body of knowledge regarding venom evolutionary theory, this work will also have direct implications for the treatment of the envenomed patient through the better understanding of venom pathophysiology and determining the relative antivenom neutralisation effect upon specific coagulotoxic effects. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SOUSA, LEIJIANE F.; ZDENEK, CHRISTINA N.; DOBSON, JAMES S.; OP DEN BROUW, BIANCA; COIMBRA, FRANCISCO C. P.; GILLETT, AMBER; DEL-REI, TIAGO H. M.; CHALKIDIS, HIPOCRATES DE M.; SANT'ANNA, SAVIO; TEIXEIRA-DA-ROCHA, MARISA M.; et al. Coagulotoxicity of Bothrops (Lancehead Pit-Vipers) Venoms from Brazil: Differential Biochemistry and Antivenom Efficacy Resulting from Prey-Driven Venom Variation. TOXINS, v. 10, n. 10, OCT 2018. (14/13124-2, 17/15170-0, 17/50268-0)