Comparative proteomic profiling and functional characterization of venom pooled from captive Crotalus durissus terrificus specimens and the Brazilian crotalic reference venom

Author(s):Show less -

Tasima, Lidia J. ^{[1, 2]} ; Hatakeyama, Daniela M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Serino-Silva, Caroline ^{[1, 2]} ; Rodrigues, Caroline F. B. ^{[1, 2]} ; de Lima, V, Eduardo O. ; Sant'Anna, Savio S. ^[3] ; Grego, Kathleen F. ^[3] ; de Morais-Zani, Karen ^{[3, 2]} ; Sanz, Libia ^[4] ; Calvete, Juan J. ^{[3, 4]} ; Tanaka-Azevedo, Anita M. ^{[3, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Butantan, Lab Herpetol, BR-05503000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Interunidades Biotecnol, Inst Pesquisas Tecnol, Inst Butantan, BR-05503000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] de Lima, Eduardo O., V, Inst Butantan, Lab Herpetol, BR-05503000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] CSIC, Lab Venom Evolut & Traslac, Inst Biomed, Jaime Roig 11, Valencia 46010 - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Toxicon; v. 185, p. 26-35, OCT 15 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus spp has a wide geographic distribution in Brazil. Although responsible for only a low proportion of ophidian accidents, it is considered one of the most medically important species of venomous snakes due to the high mortality rate (1.87%). Snake venom is a complex phenotype commonly subjected to individual intraspecific, ontogenetic and geographic variability. Compositional differences in pooled venom used in the immunization process may impact the efficacy of the antivenom. In order to assure standardized high-quality antivenom, the potency of each Brazilian crotalic antivenom batch is determined against the `Brazilian Crotalic Reference Venom' (BCRV). BCRV is produced by Instituto Butantan using venom obtained from the first milking of recently wild-caught C. d. terrificus specimens brought to the Institute. The decrease in the number of snake donations experienced in recent years can become a threat to the production of future batches of BCRV. To evaluate the feasibility of using venom from long-term captive animals in the formulation of BCRV, we have compared the proteomic, biochemical and biological profiles of C. d. terrificus venom pooled from captive specimens (CVP- captive venom pool) and BCRV. Electrophoretic and venomics analyses revealed a very similar venom composition profile, but also certain differences in toxins abundance, with some low abundant protein families found only in BCRV. Enzymatic (L-amino acid oxidase, phospholipase A(2) and proteolytic) and biological (myotoxic and coagulant) activities showed higher values in CVP than in BCRV. CVP also possessed slightly higher lethal effect, although the Instituto Butantan crotalic antivenom showed equivalent potency neutralizing BCRV and CVP. Our results strongly suggest that venom from long-term captive C. d. terrificus might be a valid alternative to generate an immunization mixture of equivalent quality to the currently in use reference venom. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/01890-0 - Comparative study of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venoms born in captivity in the Laboratory of Herpetology of Butantan Institute and the national crotalic reference venom
• Grantee: Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/16908-2 - Proteomic characterization and enzymatic and pathophysiological activities of the venom of the snake species that compose the Bothrops neuwiedi group
• Grantee: Karen de Morais Zani
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/25899-0 - Analysis of the ontogenetic variability of the snake venom Bothrops pauloensis
• Grantee: Lidia Jorge Tasima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 17/26533-6 - Qualitative and quantitative study of the enzyme L-amino acid oxidase of the Venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes maintained for long periods and recently Wild-caught
• Grantee: Eduardo Oliveira Venancio de Lima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 18/25786-0 - Phospholipase A2 inhibitors (PLIs) present in venomous and non-venomous snake plasmas and evaluation of the neutralizing activity of these inhibitors on the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities of snake venoms
• Grantee: Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants