Ontogenetic Variation in Biological Activities of Venoms from Hybrids between Bothrops erythromelas and Bothrops neuwiedi Snakes

Author(s)

Santoro, Marcelo Larami ^[1] ; do Carmo, Thais ^[1] ; Lopes Cunha, Bruna Heloisa ^[1] ; Alves, Andre Fonseca ^[1] ; Zelanis, Andre ^{[2, 3]} ; de Toledo Serrano, Solange Maria ^{[2, 3]} ; Grego, Kathleen Fernandes ^[4] ; Sant'Anna, Savio Stefanini ^[4] ; Barbaro, Katia Cristina ^[5] ; Fernandes, Wilson ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Butantan, Lab Fisiopatol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Inst Butantan, Lab Especial Toxinol Aplicada, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Inst Butantan, Ctr Toxins Immune Response & Cell Signaling, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Inst Butantan, Lab Herpetol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Inst Butantan, Lab Imunopatol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 10, n. 12 DEC 29 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Lance-headed snakes are found in Central and South America, and they account for most snakebites in Brazil. The phylogeny of South American pitvipers has been reviewed, and the presence of natural and non-natural hybrids between different species of Bothrops snakes demonstrates that reproductive isolation of several species is still incomplete. The present study aimed to analyze the biological features, particularly the thrombin-like activity, of venoms from hybrids born in captivity, from the mating of a female Bothrops erythromelas and a male Bothrops neuwiedi, two species whose venoms are known to display ontogenetic variation. Proteolytic activity on azocoll and amidolytic activity on N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (BAPNA) were lowest when hybrids were 3 months old, and increased over body growth, reaching values similar to those of the father when hybrids were 12 months old. The clotting activity on plasma diminished as hybrids grew; venoms from 3- and 6-months old hybrids showed low clotting activity on fibrinogen (i.e., thrombinlike activity), like the mother venom, and such activity was detected only when hybrids were older than 1 year of age. Altogether, these results point out that venom features in hybrid snakes are genetically controlled during the ontogenetic development. Despite the presence of the thrombin-like enzyme gene(s) in hybrid snakes, they are silenced during the first six months of life. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07467-1 - CeTICS - Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling
• Grantee: Hugo Aguirre Armelin
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 10/08162-1 - Contribution of local injury evoked by Bothrops jararaca snake venom to the genesis of systemic hemostatic disturbances
• Grantee: Marcelo Larami Santoro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/13548-4 - Proteomic/Glycoproteomic characterization of the venoms of the Bothrops jararaca complex with emphasis on the N-terminome and N-glycome of toxins
• Grantee: Solange Maria de Toledo Serrano
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/02996-8 - Venoms from neonate and mature Bothrops jararaca snakes: comparison between enzymatic and biological activities, immunoneutralization, chemical composition and ability to induce hemostatic disorders
• Grantee: Marcelo Larami Santoro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/15413-3 - Characterization and biological activities of venoms from adult Bothrops erythromelas and Bothrops neuwiedi and their hybrid offspring.
• Grantee: Thaís Do Carmo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 13/25177-0 - Involvement of Von Willebrand factor in hemostatic disturbances induced by Bothrops jararaca snake venom: experimental study
• Grantee: Marcelo Larami Santoro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants