scholarly journals An Appetite for Destruction: Detecting Prey-Selective Binding of α-Neurotoxins in the Venom of Afro-Asian Elapids

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Harris ◽  
Christina N. Zdenek ◽  
David Harrich ◽  
Nathaniel Frank ◽  
Bryan G. Fry
Keyword(s):  
Prey Type ◽  
Prey Selectivity ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Crude Venom ◽  
Dietary Breadth ◽  
Relative Binding ◽  
Prey Specificity ◽  
Differential Selectivity ◽  
Ophiophagus Hannah ◽  
Opening Up

Prey-selective venoms and toxins have been documented across only a few species of snakes. The lack of research in this area has been due to the absence of suitably flexible testing platforms. In order to test more species for prey specificity of their venom, we used an innovative taxonomically flexible, high-throughput biolayer interferometry approach to ascertain the relative binding of 29 α-neurotoxic venoms from African and Asian elapid representatives (26 Naja spp., Aspidelaps scutatus, Elapsoidea boulengeri, and four locales of Ophiophagus hannah) to the alpha-1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor orthosteric (active) site for amphibian, lizard, snake, bird, and rodent targets. Our results detected prey-selective, intraspecific, and geographical differences of α-neurotoxic binding. The results also suggest that crude venom that shows prey selectivity is likely driven by the proportions of prey-specific α-neurotoxins with differential selectivity within the crude venom. Our results also suggest that since the α-neurotoxic prey targeting does not always account for the full dietary breadth of a species, other toxin classes with a different pathophysiological function likely play an equally important role in prey immobilisation of the crude venom depending on the prey type envenomated. The use of this innovative and taxonomically flexible diverse assay in functional venom testing can be key in attempting to understanding the evolution and ecology of α-neurotoxic snake venoms, as well as opening up biochemical and pharmacological avenues to explore other venom effects.

Prey selectivity of wolves in Banff National Park. I. Prey species

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Huggard
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Prey Type ◽  
Prey Selectivity ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Encounter Rates ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Habitat Overlap ◽  
Banff National Park ◽  
Mountain Goats ◽  
Number Of Individuals

I examined the components generating selectivity in wolves preying on five ungulate species in Banff National Park, Alberta. Overall selectivity for elk and deer species, and apparent avoidance of bighorn sheep and mountain goats, were due primarily to lower habitat overlap of wolves with the latter two species, and therefore lower encounter rates. For social ungulates, I argue that the herd should be considered the unit of encounter, with encounter rates proportional to the number of herds rather than the number of individuals. However, large herds predictably associated with certain areas may be visited intentionally by wolves, increasing effective encounter rates. Foraging theory suggests that all ungulate prey should be equally profitable to wolves upon encounter and therefore the factors affecting encounter rates are critical in determining prey selectivity. A simple model incorporating different habitat overlap, herd sizes, and predictable herds predicts qualitatively different functional responses of wolves to changes in density of the different prey types. The model also demonstrates how apparent selectivity for a prey type can result from the different ways in which prey are encountered.

scholarly journals Immunoreactivity and neutralization study of Chinese Bungarus multicinctus antivenin and lab-prepared anti-bungarotoxin antisera towards purified bungarotoxins and snake venoms

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. e0008873
Author(s):  
Bo Lin ◽  
Jia-Rui Zhang ◽  
Hui-Juan Lu ◽  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Crude Venom ◽  
Venomous Snake ◽  
Animal Protection ◽  
Intravenous Injections ◽  
Protection Efficacy ◽  
Ophiophagus Hannah ◽  
North Vietnam ◽  
Molecular Weight Fractions

Bungarus multicinctus is the most venomous snake distributed in China and neighboring countries of Myanmar, Laos, north Vietnam and Thailand. The high mortality rate of B. multicinctus envenomation is attributed to the lethal components of α-, β-, γ- and κ- bungarotoxins contained in the venom. Although anti-B. multicinctus sera were produced in Shanghai, Taiwan and Vietnam, the most widely clinic used product was term as B. multicinctus antivenin and manufactured by Shanghai Serum Bio-technology Co. Ltd. In the present investigation, high purity α-, β- and γ-bungarotoxins were separately isolated from B. multicinctus crude venom. Rabbit anti- α-, β- and γ-bungarotoxin antisera were prepared by common methods, respectively. LD50 values of α-, β- and γ-bungarotoxins were systematically determined via three administration pathways (intraperitoneal, intramuscular and intravenous injections) in Kunming mice. LD50 values of β-bungarotoxin were closely related with injection routines but those of both α- and γ-bungarotoxins were not dependent on the injection routines. Commercial B. multicinctus antivenin showed strong immunoreaction with high molecular weight fractions of the B. multicinctus but weakly recognized low molecular weight fractions like α- and γ-bungarotoxins. Although B. multicinctus antivenin showed immunoreaction with high molecular weight fractions of Bungarus fasciatus, Naja atra, Ophiophagus hannah venoms but the antivenin only demonstrated animal protection efficacy against O. hannah venom. These results indicated that the high molecular weight fractions of the O. hannah played an important role in venom lethality but those of B. fasciatus and N. atra did not have such a role.

scholarly journals Effects of geographical heterogeneity in species interactions on the evolution of venom genes

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1805) ◽  
pp. 20141984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Chang ◽  
Amy M. Olenzek ◽  
Thomas F. Duda
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
American Samoa ◽  
Allelic Frequency ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Dietary Breadth ◽  
Geographical Heterogeneity ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Prey Utilization

Geographical heterogeneity in the composition of biotic interactions can create a mosaic of selection regimes that may drive the differentiation of phenotypes that operate at the interface of these interactions. Nonetheless, little is known about effects of these geographical mosaics on the evolution of genes encoding traits associated with species interactions. Predatory marine snails of the family Conidae use venom, a cocktail of conotoxins, to capture prey. We characterized patterns of geographical variation at five conotoxin genes of a vermivorous species, Conus ebraeus , at Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa, and evaluated how these patterns of variation are associated with geographical heterogeneity in prey utilization. All populations show distinct patterns of prey utilization. Three ‘highly polymorphic’ conotoxin genes showed significant geographical differences in allelic frequency, and appear to be affected by different modes of selection among populations. Two genes exhibited low levels of diversity and a general lack of differentiation among populations. Levels of diversity of ‘highly polymorphic’ genes exhibit a positive relationship with dietary breadth. The different patterns of evolution exhibited by conotoxin genes suggest that these genes play different roles in prey capture, and that some genes are more greatly affected by differences in predator–prey interactions than others. Moreover, differences in dietary breadth appear to have a greater influence on the differentiation of venoms than differences in the species of prey.

Seeking to uncover biology's chemical roots

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 435-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Addy Pross
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Significant Development ◽  
The Road ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Systems Chemistry ◽  
Biological World ◽  
Inanimate Matter ◽  
The Origin Of Life ◽  
Opening Up

Despite the considerable advances in molecular biology over the past several decades, the nature of the physical–chemical process by which inanimate matter become transformed into simplest life remains elusive. In this review, we describe recent advances in a relatively new area of chemistry, systems chemistry, which attempts to uncover the physical–chemical principles underlying that remarkable transformation. A significant development has been the discovery that within the space of chemical potentiality there exists a largely unexplored kinetic domain which could be termed dynamic kinetic chemistry. Our analysis suggests that all biological systems and associated sub-systems belong to this distinct domain, thereby facilitating the placement of biological systems within a coherent physical/chemical framework. That discovery offers new insights into the origin of life process, as well as opening the door toward the preparation of active materials able to self-heal, adapt to environmental changes, even communicate, mimicking what transpires routinely in the biological world. The road to simplest proto-life appears to be opening up.

Opening up the field

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tori DeAngelis
Keyword(s):  
Opening Up

The Action Mechanism of the Purified Platelet Aggregation Principle of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus Venom

1979 ◽  
Vol 41 (03) ◽  
pp. 475-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaoho Ouyang ◽  
Che-Ming Teng
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Adenine Nucleotides ◽  
Muscle Relaxants ◽  
Prostaglandin Synthesis ◽  
Action Mechanism ◽  
Crude Venom ◽  
Platelet Factor ◽  
Induce Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Minimal Concentration ◽  
Aggregation Principle

SummaryThe minimal concentration of the platelet aggregation principle (Platelet Aggregoserpen- tin, PAS) necessary to induce platelet aggregation was 10 ng/ml, about one-hundredth of that of the crude venom. PAS induced the release of platelet factors 3 and 4 from platelets, but the released platelet factor 3 was easily inactivated by the anti-phospholipid effect of PAS. Pretreatment of platelets with neuraminidase potentiated PAS-induced platelet aggregation. PAS-induced platelet aggregation was independent on released ADP; it could occur in the ADP-removing systems, such as apyrase or a combination of phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate kinase. However, PAS-induced platelet aggregation could be inhibited by adenine nucleotides and adenosine.PAS-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by some anti-inflammatory agents, antimalarial drugs, local anesthetics, antihistamine and smooth muscle relaxants. After deaggregation of PAS-treated platelets, thrombin and sodium arachidonate could further induce platelet aggregation, but ADP and second dose of PAS could not. It is concluded that PAS-induced platelet aggregation is due to prostaglandin synthesis. Recent literatures on the mechanism of platelet aggregation were surveyed and the actions of PAS were discussed.

Purification and Characterization of Lupus Anticoagulant Like Protein from Agkistrodon Halys Brevicaudus Venom

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (06) ◽  
pp. 0993-0997
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yan Li ◽  
Xiao-Wei Wu ◽  
Tie-Fu Yu ◽  
Eric C-Y Lian
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Lupus Anticoagulant ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Clotting Factor ◽  
Acid Oxidase ◽  
Crude Venom ◽  
Amino Acid Oxidase ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Reducing Condition

SummaryBy means of CM-Sephadex C-25, DEAE-Sephadex A-50, Sephadex G-200, and Sephadex G-75 chromatographies, a lupus anticoagulant like protein (LALP) from Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus was purified. On SDS-PAGE, the purified LALP had a molecular weight of 25,500 daltons under non-reducing condition and 15,000 daltons under reducing condition. The isoelectric point was pH 5.6. Its N terminal amino acid sequencing revealed a mixture of 2 sequences: DCP(P/S)(D/G)WSSYEGH(C/R)Q(Q/K). It was devoid of phospho-lipaseA, fibrino(geno)lytic, 5′-nucleotidase, L-amino acid oxidase, phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase and thrombin-like activities, which were found in crude venom. In the presence of LALP, PT, aPTT, and dRVVT of human plasma were markedly prolonged and its effects were concentration-dependent but time-independent. The inhibitory effect of LALP on the plasma clotting time was enhanced by decreasing phospholipid concentration in TTI test. The individual clotting factor activity was not affected by LALP when higher dilutions of LALP-plasma mixture were used for assay. Russell’s viper venom time was shortened when high phospholipid confirmatory reagent was used. Therefore, the protein has lupus anticoagulant property.

Impairment of Platelet Aggregation by Echis colorata Venom Mediated by L-Amino Acid Oxidase or H2O2

1982 ◽  
Vol 48 (03) ◽  
pp. 277-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Nathan ◽  
A Dvilansky ◽  
T Yirmiyahu ◽  
M Aharon ◽  
A Livne
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Snake Venom ◽  
Oxidase Activity ◽  
Enzyme Preparation ◽  
Acid Oxidase ◽  
Crude Venom ◽  
Amino Acid Oxidase ◽  
Hemostatic Disorders

SummaryEchis colorata bites cause impairment of platelet aggregation and hemostatic disorders. The mechanism by which the snake venom inhibits platelet aggregation was studied. Upon fractionation, aggregation impairment activity and L-amino acid oxidase activity were similarly separated from the crude venom, unlike other venom enzymes. Preparations of L-amino acid oxidase from E.colorata and from Crotalus adamanteus replaced effectively the crude E.colorata venom in impairment of platelet aggregation. Furthermore, different treatments known to inhibit L-amino acid oxidase reduced in parallel the oxidase activity and the impairment potency of both the venom and the enzyme preparation. H2O2 mimicked characteristically the impairment effects of L-amino acid oxidase and the venom. Catalase completely abolished the impairment effects of the enzyme and the venom. It is concluded that hydrogen peroxide formed by the venom L-amino acid oxidase plays a role in affecting platelet aggregation and thus could contribute to the extended bleeding typical to persons bitten by E.colorata.

Mechanism of Inhibitory Action on Platelet Activation of a Phospholipase A2 Isolated from Lachesis muta (Bushmaster) Snake Venom

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (05) ◽  
pp. 1372-1380 ◽  
Author(s):  
André L Fuly ◽  
Olga L T Machado ◽  
Elias W Alves ◽  
Célia R Carlinis
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Phospholipase A2 ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Thermal Inactivation ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Apparent Molecular Weight ◽  
Crude Venom ◽  
Lachesis Muta

SummaryCrude venom from Lachesis muta exhibited procoagulant, proteolytic and phospholipase A2 activities. A phospholipase A2, denoted LM-PLA2 was purified from L. muta venom to homogeneity, through a combination of chromatographic steps involving gel-filtration on Sephacryl S-200 HR and reverse phase chromatography on a C2/C18 column. LM-PLA2 presented a single polypeptide chain with an isoelectric point at pH 4.7 and apparent molecular weight of 17 kDa. Partial aminoacid sequence indicated a high degree of homology for LM-PLA2 with other PLA2 from different sources.LM-PLA2 displayed a potent enzymatic activity as measured by indirect hemolysis of red blood cells but it was neither lethal when injected i.p. into mice nor did it present anticoagulant activity. Furthermore, LM-PLA2 displayed a moderate inhibitory activity on the aggregation of rabbit platelets induced by low levels of ADP, thrombin and arachidonate. In contrast, platelet aggregation induced by high doses of collagen was strongly inhibited by LM-PLA2 as well as ATP-release. Treatment of the protein with p-bromophenacyl bromide or 2-mercapto-ethanol, as well as thermal inactivation studies, suggested that the platelet inhibitory effect of LM-PLA2 is dependent on its enzymatic activity. Thus, the platelet inhibitory activity of LM-PLA2 was shown to be dependent on the hydrolysis of plasma phospholipids and/or lipoproteins, most probably those rich in phosphatidylcholine. Surprisingly, lyso-phosphatidylcholine released by LM-PLA2 from plasma was shown to preferentially inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, in contrast to other PLA2s, whose plasma hydrolytic products indistinctly affect platelet’s response to several agonists.

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