Venom Protein C Activators as Diagnostic Agents for Defects of Protein C System

Snake venoms are primarily composed of proteins and peptides, and these toxins have developed high selectivity to their biological targets. This makes venoms interesting for exploration into protein evolution and structure–function relationships. A single venom protein superfamily can exhibit a variety of pharmacological effects; these variations in activity originate from differences in functional sites, domains, posttranslational modifications, and the formations of toxin complexes. In this review, we discuss examples of how the major venom protein superfamilies have diversified, as well as how newer technologies in the omics fields, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, can be used to characterize both known and unknown toxins.Because toxins are bioactive molecules with a rich diversity of activities, they can be useful as therapeutic and diagnostic agents, and successful examples of toxin applications in these areas are also reviewed. With the current rapid pace of technology, snake venom research and its applications will only continue to expand.

Download Full-text

Ultrastructural Alterations in Hela Cells Induced by Spider Venom

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100060118 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 20-21

Author(s):

Dale E. McClendon ◽

Paul N. Morgan ◽

Bernard L. Soloff

Keyword(s):

Growth Medium ◽

Mammalian Cells ◽

Carcinoma Cells ◽

Venom Protein ◽

Sterile Saline ◽

Carbon Coated ◽

Available Information ◽

Loxosceles Reclusa ◽

Essential Growth ◽

Solution Cultures

It has been observed that minute amounts of venom from the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, are capable of producing cytotoxic changes in cultures of certain mammalian cells (Morgan and Felton, 1965). Since there is little available information concerning the effect of venoms on susceptible cells, we have attempted to characterize, at the electron microscope level, the cytotoxic changes produced by the venom of this spider.Cultures of human epithelial carcinoma cells, strain HeLa, were initiated on sterile, carbon coated coverslips contained in Leighton tubes. Each culture was seeded with approximately 1x105 cells contained in 1.5 ml of a modified Eagle's minimum essential growth medium prepared in Hank's balanced salt solution. Cultures were incubated at 36° C. for three days prior to the addition of venom. The venom was collected from female brown recluse spiders and diluted in sterile saline. Protein determinations on the venom-were made according to the spectrophotometric method of Waddell (1956). Approximately 10 μg venom protein per ml of fresh medium was added to each culture after discarding the old growth medium. Control cultures were treated similarly, except that no venom was added. All cultures were reincubated at 36° C.

Download Full-text

Activated protein C: the cure for sepsis - again?

Anaesthesia ◽

10.1046/j.1365-2044.2001.02441.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 56 (12) ◽

pp. 1133-1135 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tariq Hoth ◽

Timothy W. Evans

Keyword(s):

Protein C ◽

Activated Protein C

Download Full-text

Chromatographic purification and properties of a therapeutic human protein C concentrate

Journal of Chromatography B ◽

10.1016/s0021-9673(02)02002-2 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

M Radosevich

Keyword(s):

Protein C ◽

Human Protein ◽

Chromatographic Purification ◽

Purification And Properties ◽

Protein C Concentrate

Download Full-text

Homozygous mutation in ABCA3 Lipid-Transporter defect (EXON 9) and low level of surfactant protein C

Klinische Pädiatrie ◽

10.1055/s-0030-1261412 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 222 (S 01) ◽

Author(s):

J Pöschl ◽

P Ruef ◽

M Griese ◽

P Lohse ◽

C Aslanidis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein C ◽

Surfactant Protein ◽

Homozygous Mutation ◽

Surfactant Protein C ◽

Low Level ◽

Exon 9 ◽

Lipid Transporter

Download Full-text

Coagulation Factor V Leiden Mutation Was Detected in the Patients with Activated Protein C Resistance in Thailand

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1615201 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 80 (08) ◽

pp. 344-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pasra Arnutti ◽

Motofumi Hiyoshi ◽

Wichai Prayoonwiwat ◽

Oytip Nathalang ◽

Chamaiporn Suwanasophon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein C ◽

Activated Protein C ◽

Factor V Leiden ◽

Coagulation Factor ◽

Factor V ◽

Activated Protein C Resistance ◽

Factor V Leiden Mutation ◽

Coagulation Factor V

Download Full-text

Alveolar dynamics and beyond – The importance of surfactant protein C in cholesterol metabolism and lung homeostasis

10.1055/s-0037-1615322 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

J Ruwisch ◽

N Roldan ◽

J Perez-Gil ◽

TE Weaver ◽

M Ochs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein C ◽

Cholesterol Metabolism ◽

Surfactant Protein ◽

Surfactant Protein C

Download Full-text

High Levels of Circulating Thrombomodulin in Human Foetuses and Children

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1614596 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 81 (06) ◽

pp. 906-909 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Marie-Hélène Aurousseau ◽

Danielle Gozin ◽

Fernand Daffos ◽

Armando D’Angelo ◽

François Forestier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Endothelial Cell ◽

Protein C ◽

Endothelial Cell Surface ◽

A Value ◽

Median Level ◽

Group A ◽

Anticoagulant Function ◽

Cell Surface Proteoglycan ◽

Human Foetuses

SummaryThrombomodulin (TM) is an endothelial cell surface proteoglycan with anticoagulant functions, also implicated in cell proliferation, cell-cell adhesion and differentiation. In this study we determined circulating plasma TM (pTM) levels in human foetuses at different stages of pregnancy, at birth and in childhood. TM levels increased with gestational age, the median level reaching a peak of approximately 165 ng/ml between the 23rd and 26th week, thereafter decreasing gradually, reaching a value of 108 ng/ml at birth. pTM continues to decrease progressively during childhood, reaching in the 5-15 years group a median of 56 ng/ml which approaches the adult value. The pTM peak was statistically significant and represents a specific foetal phenomenon as it was independent of the corresponding maternal values. As a whole, the pTM pattern during foetal maturation appears totally different from that of protein C, prothrombin and other coagulation activators and inhibitors and thus, TM may play in the foetus another role in addition to its well-known anticoagulant function.

Download Full-text

APC Resistance and other Haemostatic Variables during Pregnancy and Puerperium

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1614518 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 81 (04) ◽

pp. 527-531 ◽

Cited By ~ 114

Author(s):

U. Kjellberg ◽

N.-E. Andersson ◽

S. Rosén ◽

L. Tengborn ◽

M. Hellgren

Keyword(s):

Factor Viii ◽

Plasminogen Activator ◽

Protein C ◽

Activated Protein C ◽

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor ◽

Protein S ◽

Reference Level ◽

Soluble Fibrin ◽

Prothrombin Fragment ◽

D Dimer

SummaryForty-eight healthy pregnant women were studied prospectively and longitudinally. Blood sampling was performed at 10-15, 23-25, 32-34 and 38-40 weeks of gestation, within one week and at eight weeks postpartum. Classic and modified activated protein C ratio decreased as pregnancy progressed. In the third trimester 92% of the ratios measured with the classic test were above the lower reference level whereas all modified test ratios were normal. Slight activation of blood coagulation was shown with increased levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2, soluble fibrin and D-dimer. Fibrinogen, factor VIII and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and type 2 increased. Protein S and tissue plasminogen activator activity decreased. Protein C remained unchanged. No correlation was found between the decrease in classic APC ratio and changes in factor VIII, fibrinogen, protein S, prothrombin fragment 1+2 or soluble fibrin, nor between the increase in soluble fibrin and changes in prothrombin fragment 1+2, fibrinogen and D-dimer.

Download Full-text