Geographic variation of individual venom profile of Crotalus durissus snakes

Abstract

Background: South American rattlesnakes are represented in Brazil by a single species, Crotalus durissus , which has public health importance due to the severity of its envenomation and to its wide geographical distribution. The species is subdivided into several subspecies, but the current classification is controversial. In Brazil, the venoms of C. d. terrificus and C. d. collilineatus are used for hyperimmunization of horses for antivenom production, even though the distinction of these two subspecies are mostly by their geographical distribution. In this context, we described a comparative compositional and functional characterization of individual C. d. collilineatus and C. d. terrificus venoms from three Brazilian states. Methods: We compared the compositional patterns of C. d. terrificus and C. d. collilineatus individual venoms by 1-DE and RP-HPLC. For functional analyzes, the enzymatic activities of PLA 2 , LAAO, and coagulant activity were evaluated. Finally, the immunorecognition of venom toxins by the crotalic antivenom produced at Butantan Institute was evaluated using Western blotting. Results: The protein profile of individual venoms from C. d. collilineatus and C. d. terrificus showed a comparable overall composition, despite some intraspecific variation, especially regarding crotamine and LAAO. Interestingly, HPLC analysis showed a geographic pattern concerning PLA 2 . In addition, a remarkable intraspecific variation was also observed in PLA 2 , LAAO and coagulant activities. The immunorecognition pattern of individual venoms from C. d. collilineatus and C. d. terrificus by crotalic antivenom produced at Butantan Institute was similar. Conclusions: The results highlighted the individual variability among the venoms of C. durissus ssp. specimens. Importantly, our data point to a geographical variation of C. durissus ssp. venom profile, regardless of the subspecies, as evidenced by PLA 2 isoforms complexity, which may explain the increase in venom neurotoxicity from Northeastern through Southern Brazil reported for the species.

Old World Vipers—A Review about Snake Venom Proteomics of Viperinae and Their Variations

“…One of the most important factors is the available prey and the accompanying diet breadth due to various habitats [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Furthermore, age as well as regional separation affect the venom, most likely linked to the available diversity of prey [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Sex, long-term captivity effects including stress [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], environmental conditions, like temperature, and the defense against primates are under discussion [ 38 , 39 ].…”

Crotalus Durissus Ruruima: Current Knowledge on Natural History, Medical Importance, and Clinical Toxinology

“…Although the main rattlesnake toxins were described in C. d. ruruima venom using proteomics [5], many toxins encountered in other Brazilian C. durissus subspecies (e.g. disintegrins, hyaluronidases, growth factors, nucleases, and nucleotidases), which are also determinants for the toxicity of venoms, have not been described for this subspecies [5,[43][44][45][46]53,110,111]. However, we do not exclude the possibility of C. d. ruruima presenting other compounds.…”

“…Snake venomics enables the qualitative and quantitative understanding of venoms of different species [42]. There are few studies comparing the venomics of Brazilian rattlesnake subspecies [5,43,44]. Interestingly, while originated from the same species (i.e.…”

Crotalus Durissus Ruruima: Current Knowledge on Natural History, Medical Importance, and Clinical Toxinology

“…Snake venomics enables the qualitative and quantitative understanding of venoms of different species ( 42 ). There are few studies comparing the venomics of Brazilian rattlesnake subspecies ( 5 , 43 , 44 ). Interestingly, while originated from the same species ( i.e.…”

“…Although the main rattlesnake toxins were described in C. d. ruruima venom using proteomics ( 5 ), many toxins encountered in other Brazilian C. durissus subspecies (e.g. disintegrins, hyaluronidases, growth factors, nucleases, and nucleotidases), which are also determinants for the toxicity of venoms, have not been described for this subspecies ( 5 , 43 – 46 , 53 , 110 , 111 ). However, we do not exclude the possibility of C. d. ruruima presenting other compounds.…”