Characterization of presynaptic toxins from venom of the coral snake Micrurus lemniscatus lemniscatus

• Grant number: 14/24409-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2015
• End date: November 04, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Toxicology
• Principal Investigator: Stephen Hyslop
• Grantee: Rafael Stuani Floriano
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/23432-1 - Mechanism of action of presynaptic toxins from the coral snake Micrurus lemniscatus lemniscatus venom on acetylcholine release and ion channel modulation, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Coral snake (Micrurus spp.) venoms are well-known for their neurotoxicity mediated primarily by a-neurotoxins that act postsynaptically and b-neurotoxins (neurotoxic phospholipases - PLA2) that act presynaptically. Among the Micrurus spp. that have been screened for neurotoxicity, the venom of M. lemniscatus lemniscatus is of particular interest because of its strong presynaptic activity. However, with the exception of the initial studies dealing with the pharmacological characterization of M. l. lemniscatus venom, little is known of the neuromuscular activity of this species. In this project, we intend to purify and characterize the presynaptic neurotoxins of M. l. lemniscatus venom by RP-HPLC, followed by identification of the toxins through sequencing (mass spectrometry) and screening for PLA2 activity and neuromuscular blockade in mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations in vitro. The mechanisms involved in the blockade by the principal neurotoxin(s) will be examined using a variety of electrophysiological approaches (e.g., recordings of the membrane potential, endplate potential and intracellular potentials, the latter using patch-clamp technology, and extracellular recording of compound action potentials and perineural waves) in conjunction with the assessment of intracellular Ca2+ fluctuations, histological analysis, and imunohistochemical analysis of the expression and distribution of proteins involved in exocytosis. The hemodynamic (arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate), cardiac (isolated atria) and vascular (thoracic aorta) actions of these toxins will also be assessed. The results of this work will contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the presynaptic neurotoxicity of this venom.

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)

FLORIANO, RAFAEL S.; SCHEZARO-RAMOS, RAPHAEL; SILVA, JR., NELSON J.; BUCARETCHI, FABIO; ROWAN, EDWARD G.; HYSLOP, STEPHEN. Neurotoxicity of Micrurus lemniscatus lemniscatus (South American coralsnake) venom in vertebrate neuromuscular preparations in vitro and neutralization by antivenom. ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY, v. 93, n. 7, p. 2065-2086, JUL 2019. (14/24409-8)

FLORIANO, RAFAEL S.; TORRES-BONILLA, KRISTIAN A.; ROJAS-MOSCOSO, JULIO A.; DIAS, LOURDES; ROCHA, THALITA; SILVA, NELSON J. JR JR; HYSLOP, STEPHEN; ROWAN, EDWARD G.. Cardiovascular activity of Micrurus lemniscatus lemniscatus (South American coralsnake) venom. Toxicon, v. 186, p. 9-pg., 2020-10-30. (14/24409-8)