First look into the venom of Roatan Island´s critically endangered coral snake Micrurus ruatanus: proteomic characterization, toxicity, immunorecognition and neutralization by an antivenom
artículo original
View/ Open
Date
2019Author
Lippa, Enikő
Török, Ferenc
Gómez Argüello, Aarón
Corrales Chaves, Greivin
Chacón Gutiérrez, Danilo
Sasa Marín, Mahmood
Gutiérrez, José María
Lomonte, Bruno
Fernández Ulate, Julián
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
A proteomic and toxicological study of the venom from one specimen of Micrurus ruatanus, a critically endangered
coral snake species endemic to Roatan Island, Honduras, was carried out. Immunorecognition and
neutralization of venom lethality by an anticoral antivenom was also evaluated. Forty peaks were collected from
RP-HPLC fractionation of the venom. After SDS-PAGE analysis, fifty-eight bands were examined by MALDI-TOF/
TOF mass spectrometry. Micrurus ruatanus venom displayed a three-finger toxin (3FTx)-rich venom phenotype,
as well as a significant amount of phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). Various other proteins were identified, including
Kunitz-type inhibitor proteins, L-amino acid oxidases, C-type lectin/lectin-like, metalloproteinases, serine proteinases,
vespryn/ohanin, 5′-nucleotidases, glutathione peroxidases, and phosphodiesterases. Micrurus ruatanus
venom displayed significant PLA2 activity in vitro and myotoxicity in vivo. The venom showed high lethal potency
in mice, being one of the most lethal in Central America. The anticoral antivenom (SAC-ICP) produced by
Instituto Clodomiro Picado neutralized the lethal activity of the venom. Major fractions with relevant lethal
activity were also identified by a screening analysis.
Significance: The proteomic characterization, toxicity, immunorecognition and neutralization of Micrurus ruatanus
venom have been determined for the first time. This coral snake is endemic to Roatan Island and contains a
three-finger toxin-rich venom that displayed a potent lethal activity in mice. The anticoral antivenom produced
by Instituto Clodomiro Picado neutralized the lethal activity of this venom in vivo, and therefore should be
effective in the treatment of envenomings by this snake.
External link to the item
10.1016/j.jprot.2019.01.007Collections
- Microbiología [1170]