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. 2014 Aug-Dec;54(2):138-149.

Biochemical and biological characterisation of lancehead (Bothrops venezuelensis Sandner 1952) snake venom from the Venezuelan Central Coastal range

Elda E Sánchez  1 , María E Girón  2 , Nestor L Uzcátegui  2 , Belsy Guerrero  3 , Max Saucedo  1 , Esteban Cuevas  1 , Alexis Rodríguez-Acosta  2
Affiliations

Biochemical and biological characterisation of lancehead (Bothrops venezuelensis Sandner 1952) snake venom from the Venezuelan Central Coastal range

Elda E Sánchez et al. Bol Malariol Salud Ambient. 2014 Aug-Dec.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Venom fractions isolated from Bothrops venezuelensis were shown to contain a broad spectrum of proteins with varied activities. This study describes venom fractions with coagulant, haemorrhagic, fibrinolytic, proteolytic and antiplatelet activities, and analyses their physico-chemical properties and biological activities via molecular exclusion chromatography, gel electrophoresis and a bioassay battery. The LD50, determined by injecting intraperitoneally serial dilutions of B. venezuelensis venom into mice, was 6.39 mg/kg body weight. Twelve fractions were collected from B. venezuelensis venom using molecular exclusion chromatography. Of these, fractions 1-5 and 7-9 showed haemorrhagic activity, and all fractions except 3 and 6 showed fibrinolytic activity. However, none of the fractions had significant gelatinase activity, and only fractions 4-6 demonstrated activity on hide powder azure. With the exception of fractions 1 and 4, all fractions hydrolysed the insulin B-chain. In addition, all fractions as well as the crude venom showed strong procoagulant activity when tested using a Sonoclot Analyzer. Fractions 1, 3, 5 and 9 inhibited platelet function. In this study we have described the activities of the crude venom and its size-fractions from the scarcely studied B. venezuelensis. Haemorrhagic, fibrinolytic, procoagulant and proteolytic activities, and the inhibition of platelet function were detected. This preliminary study paves the way for the identification of specific molecules in B. venezuelensis venom that could have therapeutic potential for cancer and aberrant haemostasis treatment.

Se aislaron fracciones del veneno de Bothrops venezuelensis que demuestran ser un espectro abundante de proteínas con actividades variadas (coagulante, hemorrágica, fibrinolítica, proteolítica y de función plaquetaria), para el análisis de sus propiedades físico-químicas y biológicas, el veneno fue fraccionado por cromatografía de exclusión molecular, corrido en una electroforesis en gel y realizada una batería de ensayos biológicos. La DL50 del veneno de B. venezuelensis fue 6,39 mg/kg de peso corporal, fue determinada inyectando intraperitonealmente en ratones, diluciones seriadas de veneno de B. venezuelensis. Se colectaron doce fracciones a partir del veneno de B. venezuelensis mediante cromatografía de exclusión molecular. Las fracciones 1–5 y 7–9 tenían actividad hemorrágica. Todas las fracciones, con la excepción de las fracciones 3 y 6, tenían actividad fibrinolítica. Ninguna de las fracciones tuvo actividad de gelatinasa significativa, y sólo fracciones 4–6 demostraron actividad en polvo azul de ocultamiento. Con la excepción de las fracciones 1 y 4, todas hidrolizaron la cadena β de la insulina. Cada fracción del veneno, así como el veneno crudo mostraron actividad procoagulante, cuando se probó en un analizador Sonoclot. Las fracciones 1, 3, 5 y 9 inhibieron la función plaquetaria. En este estudio se señalan actividades biológicas de un veneno poco estudiado (B. venezuelensis) y sus fracciones. Al detectar actividades hemorrágicas, fibrinolíticas, procoagulantes, proteolíticas y de inhibición de la función plaquetaria. Este estudio preliminar abre el camino para la identificación de moléculas específicas que podrían tener potencial terapéutico en hemostasia y cáncer, que vienen siendo estudiados en nuestro grupo.

Keywords: Bothrops venezuelensis; fibrinolysis; haemorrhages; haemostasis; platelet function; venom.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Molecular exclusion chromatography of B. venezuelensis venom.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Gel Electrophoresis of Bothrops venezuelensis of crude venom.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Sonoclot Signature of human blood altered by B. venezuelensis venom.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Known geographical distribution of Bothrops venezuelensis (Rivas & Oliveros, 1997; Gregoriani & De Sousa, 2005; Navarrete et al., 2009).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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