Study of the composition and biochemical activities of the venom of senile snakes from genus Crotalus, and isolation and purification of PLA2 from theses venoms

• Grant number: 22/13820-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo
• Grantee: Igor Castellar Sorrila
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

According to Epidemiological Bulletin number 11 published in 2019, between 2007 and 2017, there was a 38.25% growth in occupational accident records involving venomous animals in Brazilian territory, most of them caused by snakes, with Brazil being one of the countries with the highest mortality in this type of accident. The genus Crotalus is one of the main responsible for snakebites in Brazil. Although having only one species in the Brazilian territory, snakes of the genus Crotalus are very important for Brazilian public health. The Crotalus durissus species has a lower percentage of accidents (9%) when compared to the Bothrops genus, however, it is the main cause of death (approximately 1% of the total).It is known that snake venoms present considerable heterogeneity, both quantitatively and qualitatively. This variation can occur within the same species or between different species, according to seasonality, geographic distribution, captivity, sex and age. The study of ontogenetic variations of snake venoms have a significant importance, mainly in relation to the production of antivenom, since their effectiveness may vary according to the composition of the venom. There are several studies on the ontogenetic variations of different species, including some that are being developed by our group. However, there is a lack of studies emphasizing the group of senile snakes, mainly due to the lack of availability of this type of venom. Therefore, this project aims to study the venoms of snakes of the genus Crotalus senis and compare these with the respective venoms of adult snakes. Furthermore, considering the importance of PLA2 for the venom of this species, the project also seeks to carry out the isolation and purification of this enzyme, in order to study the importance of this protein in the venoms of adult and senile snakes.