Int J Biol Macromol
December 2024
Phospholipases A (PLAs) are highly prevalent in Bothrops snake venom and play a crucial role in inflammatory responses and immune cell activation during envenomation. Despite their significance, the specific role of PLAs from Bothrops mattogrossensis venom (BmV) in inflammation is not fully understood. This study sought to isolate and characterize a novel acidic PLA from BmV, designated BmPLA-A, and to evaluate its effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), with a specific focus on cytotoxicity, adhesion, and detachment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Microbiol
August 2024
This study investigated crotamine (CTA), a peptide derived from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, known for its exceptional cell penetration potential. The objective was to explore the antibacterial and antifungal activity of CTA, its ability to inhibit efflux pumps and evaluate the effectiveness of its pharmacological combination with antibiotics and antifungals. In microbiological assays, CTA in combination with antibiotics was tested against strains of S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChem Biol Interact
May 2024
Snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs) are hydrolytic enzymes dependent on metal binding, primarily zinc (Zn), at their catalytic site. They are classified into three classes (P-I to P-III). BjussuMP-II, a P-I SVMP isolated from Bothrops jararacussu snake venom, has a molecular mass of 24 kDa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Mol Life Sci
June 2023
Lectins are a large group of proteins found in many snake venoms. BjcuL is a C-type lectin from Bothrops jararacussu snake venom that does not present cytotoxicity action on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at concentrations of 5 and 10 μg/mL. BjcuL demonstrates an immunomodulatory role in PBMCs with the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17) in addition to stimulate T cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that could play a role in the acute inflammatory reaction observed in the victims.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The venom of , as well as its fractions, has intrigued research groups worldwide who are working to isolate, characterize, and find possible biotechnological applications. A number of studies have elucidated that these fractions and their derivatives possess pharmacological properties, which can enable the development of new drug prototypes with anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antitumor, antiviral, and antiparasitic applications.
Objective: This review presents a systematic study on , the most notable crotalid subspecies in South America, focusing on the composition, toxicological mechanisms, structural aspects, and applications of the main venom toxins (convulxin, gyroxin, crotamine, crotoxin, and their subunits).
Bothrops venom contains a high amount of secreted phospholipase A (sPLAs) enzymes responsible for the inflammatory reaction and activation of leukocytes in cases of envenoming. PLAs are proteins that have enzymatic activity and can hydrolyze phospholipids at the sn-2 position, thereby releasing fatty acids and lysophospholipids precursors of eicosanoids, which are significant mediators of inflammatory conditions. Whether these enzymes have a role in the activation and function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is not known.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBothropic venoms contains high amount of secreted phospholipases A (sPLAs) that play a significant role in leukocyte activation and inflammation. Monocytes and lymphocytes are highly functional immune system cells that mediate and provide efficient responses during the inflammation. NLRP3 inflammasome is a multiprotein complex found in immune system cells that is triggered by pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns, PAMPs and DAMPs, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFenvenomation is associated with a cellular inflammatory response, characterized by pronounced neutrophil infiltration at the site of injury. Neutrophils act as the first line of defence, owing to their ability to migrate to the infected tissue, promoting an acute inflammatory response. At the site of inflammation, neutrophils perform defence functions such as phagocytosis, release of proteolytic enzymes, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and synthesis of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and lipid mediators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochimie
July 2019
There is a growing need for research on new antimalarial agents against Plasmodium falciparum infection, especially in regards to planning molecular architecture for specific molecular targets of the parasite. Thus, a metalloprotease from Bothrops moojeni, known as BmooMPα-I, was explored in this study, through in silico assays, aiming at the development of a peptide generated from this molecule with potential inhibitory action on PfPNP, an enzyme necessary for the survival of the parasite. In order to isolate BmooMPα-I, cation exchange and reverse phase chromatographies were performed, followed by in vitro assays of antiparasitic activity against the W2 strain of P.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF