Individual venom profiling of Crotalus durissus terrificus specimens from a geographically limited region: Crotamine assessment and captivity evaluation on the biological activities

Author(s)

Lourenco, Airton, Jr. ; Zorzella Creste, Camila Fernanda ; de Banos, Luciana Curtolo ; dos Santos, Lucilene Delazari ; Pimenta, Daniel C. ; Barraviera, Benedito ; Ferreira, Rui Seabra, Jr.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Toxicon; v. 69, p. 7-pg., 2013-07-01.

Abstract

Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt) venom major components comprise crotoxin, crotamine, gyroxin and convulxin. Crotamine exerts a myotoxic action, among others, but its expression varies even amid snakes from the same region. Biochemical, enzymatic and pharmacological variations of venoms may be associated with the geography, climate, gender, age, and diet, as well as captivity time and venom extraction intervals. The present study aimed to characterize the Cdt venom from the Botucatu region, (SP, Brazil), by assessing its biochemical, pharmacological and enzymatic properties. Venoms from newly captured snakes and already-captured animals were characterized comparatively to verify the sexual, environmental (length of captivity) and ontogenetic variations that could influence the venom composition. Protein concentration, SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC were performed and the coagulant toxic (LD50) and crotamine activities were assayed. Individual SDS-PAGE analyses (315 samples) were performed and the biological activities of the venom of 60 adults (captive and newly captured males and females) and 18 newborns were compared with the Brazilian Reference Venom. Crotamine was found in 39.7% (125/315) of the samples, as determined by SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. Protein concentration differed significantly between adults (75%) and newborns (60%). RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE analyses showed highly variable protein concentration and copious crotoxin isoforms; however, the LD50 values decreased during the captivity time. Cdt venom biological activities were similar among adult groups, but diminished during the captivity period. The current findings demonstrate that venoms vary significantly in terms activity and protein concentration, despite originating from the same specie and region. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/09774-3 - Characterization of Crotalus durissus terrificus positive and negative crotamine venom in Botucatu region, São Paulo State
• Grantee: Camila Fernanda Zorzella Creste
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 09/06280-0 - Sexual, ontogenetic and enviromental variation in the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus and Bothrops jararaca on Botucatu region - Sao Paulo State - Brazil: Pharmacological, Biochemical and Enzymatical Characterization.
• Grantee: Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/53846-9 - Recent acquisition of preparative high-performance liquid chromatograph for the purification and isolation of serine proteinases to produce fibrin sealant
• Grantee: Benedito Barraviera
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program