The Venom Composition of the Snake Tribe Philodryadini: 'Omic' Techniques Reveal Intergeneric Variability among South American Racers

Autor(es)

Tioyama, Emilly Campos ; Bayona-Serrano, Juan David ; Portes-Junior, Jose A. ; Nachtigall, Pedro Gabriel ; de Souza, Vinicius Carius ; Beraldo-Neto, Emidio ; Grazziotin, Felipe Gobbi ; Junqueira-de-Azevedo, Inacio L. M. ; Moura-da-Silva, Ana Maria ; Freitas-de-Sousa, Luciana Aparecida

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: TOXINS; v. 15, n. 7, p. 23-pg., 2023-07-01.

Resumo

Snakes of the Philodryadini tribe are included in the Dipsadidae family, which is a diverse group of rear-fanged snakes widespread in different ecological conditions, including habitats and diet. However, little is known about the composition and effects of their venoms despite their relevance for understanding the evolution of these snakes or even their impact on the occasional cases of human envenoming. In this study, we integrated venom gland transcriptomics, venom proteomics and functional assays to characterize the venoms from eight species of the Philodryadini tribe, which includes the genus Philodryas, Chlorosoma and Xenoxybelis. The most abundant components identified in the venoms were snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), C-type lectins (CTLs), snake endogenous matrix metalloproteinases type 9 (seMMP-9) and snake venom serinoproteinases (SVSPs). These protein families showed a variable expression profile in each genus. SVMPs were the most abundant components in Philodryas, while seMMP-9 and CRISPs were the most expressed in Chlorosoma and Xenoxybelis, respectively. Lineage-specific differences in venom composition were also observed among Philodryas species, whereas P. olfersii presented the highest amount of SVSPs and P. agassizii was the only species to express significant amounts of 3FTx. The variability observed in venom composition was confirmed by the venom functional assays. Philodryas species presented the highest SVMP activity, whereas Chlorosoma species showed higher levels of gelatin activity, which may correlate to the seMMP-9 enzymes. The variability observed in the composition of these venoms may be related to the tribe phylogeny and influenced by their diets. In the presented study, we expanded the set of venomics studies of the Philodryadini tribe, which paves new roads for further studies on the evolution and ecology of Dipsadidae snakes. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 16/50127-5 - Dimensions US-BIOTA São Paulo: scales of biodiversity: integrated studies of snake venom evolution and function across multiple levels of diversity
• Beneficiário: Inácio de Loiola Meirelles Junqueira de Azevedo
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 18/08589-7 - Mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na variabilidade fenotípica de venenos de serpentes classificadas dentro do mesmo grupo (Bothrops)
• Beneficiário: Luciana Aparecida Freitas de Sousa
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 17/24546-3 - Escalas da biodiversidade: estudos integrados da evolução de serpentes e função do veneno
• Beneficiário: Luciana Aparecida Freitas de Sousa
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado