A C-Type Lectin from Bothrops jararacussu Venom Disrupts Staphylococcal Biofilms

Abstract

Bovine mastitis is a major threat to animal health and the dairy industry. Staphylococcus aureus is a contagious pathogen that is usually associated with persistent intramammary infections, and biofilm formation is a relevant aspect of the outcome of these infections. Several biological activities have been described for snake venoms, which led us to screen secretions of Bothrops jararacussu for antibiofilm activity against S. aureus NRS155. Crude venom was fractionated by size-exclusion chromatography, and the fractions were tested against S. aureus. Biofilm growth, but not bacterial growth, was affected by several fractions. Two fractions (15 and 16) showed the best activities and were also assayed against S. epidermidis NRS101. Fraction 15 was identified by TripleTOF mass spectrometry as a galactose-binding C-type lectin with a molecular weight of 15 kDa. The lectin was purified from the crude venom by D-galactose affinity chromatography, and only one peak was observed. This pure lectin was able to inhibit 75% and 80% of S. aureus and S. epidermidis biofilms, respectively, without affecting bacterial cell viability. The lectin also exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on both bacterial biofilms. The antibiofilm activity was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy. A pre-formed S. epidermidis biofilm was significantly disrupted by the C-type lectin in a time-dependent manner. Additionally, the lectin demonstrated the ability to inhibit biofilm formation by several mastitis pathogens, including different field strains of S. aureus, S. hyicus, S. chromogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Escherichia coli. These findings reveal a new activity for C-type lectins. Studies are underway to evaluate the biological activity of these lectins in a mouse mastitis model.

<b>Antibacterial activity of different types of snake venom from the Viperidae family against <i>Staphylococcus aureus

“…In this study, the susceptibility of S. aureus to seven snake venoms from the family Viperidae (Bothropoides erythromelas, B. jararaca, B. neuwiedi There are several reports in the literature on the antibacterial activity of snake venom against grampositive and gram-negative bacteria (Lu et al, 2002;Stábeli et al, 2004;Klein et al, 2015), including Bacillus subtilis, Sarcina spp., Escherichia coli and S. aureus. A previous study with B. marajoensis venom (also of the family Viperidae), revealed that it was able to inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and Candida albicans, thereby demonstrating an antifungal effect is also present in some venoms (Costa-Torres et al, 2010).…”

“…When tested with ½ x MIC, B. moojeni venom was able to inhibit 90% of biofilm formation, without affecting bacterial growth. Recently, Klein et al (2015) demonstrated for the first time that a lectin purified from the venom of Bothrops jararacussu disrupts staphylococcal biofilms. These findings are of interest because nosocomial infections involving the formation of biofilm caused by S. aureus are often difficult to treat with antibiotics.…”

Water-solubleMoringa oleiferalectin interferes with growth, survival and cell permeability of corrosive and pathogenic bacteria

“…; Klein et al . ). A recent study demonstrated the anti‐biofilm activity of a C‐type lectin from Bothrops jararacussu venom on staphylococcal biofilms (Klein et al .…”

“…A recent study demonstrated the anti‐biofilm activity of a C‐type lectin from Bothrops jararacussu venom on staphylococcal biofilms (Klein et al . ). According to these authors the lectin could interact with biofilm carbohydrates via carbohydrate‐binding domain, disturbing the biofilm formation during bacterial growth.…”

“…The possibility of lectin acts directly on biofilm is particularly interesting as biofilms are important factor of protection that enable bacteria to survival in unfavourable conditions (Klein et al . ).…”