Study of venom Crotalus vegrandis and their fractions with antitumor activity.

Author(s)

Tamara Mieco Fucase

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN/BT)
• Defense date: 2011-10-27

Examining board members

Patrick Jack Spencer; Maisa Splendore Della Casa

• Advisor: Patrick Jack Spencer

Abstract

Snake venoms are complex mixtures with proteins and peptides that have a variety of biological activities. Due to the high diversity of its components, several molecules found in the venom have been used for therapeutic purposes, such as anticoagulants or analgesics. Recently, several studies have shown that substances derived from snake venom are effective antitumor agents both in vivo and in vitro. The studies on the venom of C. vegrandis are scarce, turning it into an interesting object of investigation for the isolation of new biomolecules with potential antitumour potential. In this paper we analyzed this venom in order to isolate new toxins with antitumor activity. Cytotoxicity was detected in various fractions, and the most active showed immunoreactivity against an anti-jararrhagin, suggesting the presence of metalloproteases. Some toxins from this class have already been shown to be active against certain types of tumors. We also identified a low molecular weight active fraction of believed to be analogous to a crotoxin has already been in this venom. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/11038-3 - Study of the Crotalus vegrandis venom and its fractions with antitumoral activity
• Grantee: Tamara Mieco Fucase
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master