Integrative transcriptomic, proteomic, biochemical and neutralization studies on the venom of Micrurus ephippifer.

Species of the genus Micrurus belong to the family Elapidae and possess venoms of significant clinical importance. This study presents an analysis of the venom composition of Micrurus ephippifer, employing transcriptomic and proteomic methodologies. A total of 2885 venom gland transcripts were assembled, of which 42 were identified as toxins.

Venom variation and ontogenetic changes in the Crotalus molossus complex: Insights into composition, activities, and antivenom neutralization.

The Crotalus molossus complex consists of five to seven phylogenetically related lineages of black-tailed rattlesnakes widely distributed in Mexico. While previous studies have noted venom variation within specific lineages of the Crotalus molossus complex, a comprehensive characterization of interspecific and ontogenetic venom variations, their functional implications, and the neutralizing ability of the Mexican antivenom against these variants remains largely unexamined. Herein, using two proteomic approaches for five lineages (C.

Venom composition, toxicity and cross-neutralization by PoliVal-ICP antivenom, of Mesoamerican jumping pitvipers genus Metlapilcoatlus (Viperidae: Crotalinae).

Background: The genus Metlapilcoatlus was recently erected to include six species of stout venomous snakes, known as the jumping pitvipers, which inhabit mountainous areas of Mesoamerica. This group maintains affinity with Atropoides picadoi, another jumping pitviper with restricted distribution in Costa Rica and Panama. Although the venom of A.

Breaking muscle: neurotoxic and myotoxic effects of Central American snake venoms and the relative efficacies of antivenom and varespladib.

Background: The snake genera Atropoides, Cerrophidion, and Metlapilcoatlus form a clade of neotropical pit vipers distributed across Mexico and Central America. This study evaluated the myotoxic and neurotoxic effects of nine species of Atropoides, Cerrophidion, and Metlapilcoatlus, and the neutralising efficacy of the ICP antivenom from Costa Rica against these effects, in the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. Given the prominence of PLAs within the venom proteomes of these species, we also aimed to determine the neutralising potency of the PLA inhibitor, varespladib.

Taking the sting out of scorpions: Electrophysiological investigation of the relative efficacy of three antivenoms against medically significant Centruroides species.

In this study, we report the innovative application of whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in assessing broad-spectrum neutralisation by three different antivenoms, of venoms from the medically significant scorpion genus Centruroides. Envenomations by as many as 21 species from the Centruroides genus result in up to 300,000 envenomations per year in Mexico, which poses significant and potentially life-threatening pathophysiology. We first evaluated the in vitro manifestation of envenomation against two human voltage-gated sodium (hNa) channel subtypes: hNa1.

Therapeutic itineraries of snakebite victims and antivenom access in southern Mexico.

Access to antivenoms in cases of snakebite continues to be an important public health issue around the world, especially in rural areas with poorly developed health care systems. This study aims to evaluate therapeutic itineraries and antivenom accessibility following snakebites in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas in southern Mexico. Employing an intercultural health approach that seeks to understand and bridge allopathic and traditional medical perceptions and practices, we conducted field interviews with 47 snakebite victims, documenting the therapeutic itineraries of 54 separate snakebite incidents that occurred between 1977 and 2023.

Venom of the neotropical rattlesnake, Crotalus culminatus: Intraspecific variation, neutralization by antivenoms, and immunogenicity in rabbits.

Crotalus culminatus is a medically significant species of rattlesnake in Mexico [1]. While the proteomic composition of its venom has been previously reported for both juvenile and adult specimens, there has been limited research into its functional properties, with only a few studies, including one focusing on coagulotoxicity mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to compare the biochemical and biological activities of the venom of juvenile and adult snakes.

Comparative Analysis of Alpha-1 Orthosteric-Site Binding by a Clade of Central American Pit Vipers (Genera , and ).

The distribution and relative potency of post-synaptic neurotoxic activity within Crotalinae venoms has been the subject of less investigation in comparison with Elapidae snake venoms. No previous studies have investigated post-synaptic neurotoxic activity within the , , , and clade. Given the specificity of neurotoxins to relevant prey types, we aimed to uncover any activity present within this clade of snakes that may have been overlooked due to lower potency upon humans and thus not appearing as a clinical feature.

Proteomic and toxicological characterization of the venoms of the most enigmatic group of rattlesnakes: The long-tailed rattlesnakes.

The most enigmatic group of rattlesnakes is the long-tailed rattlesnake group, consisting of three species: Crotalus ericsmithi, Crotalus lannomi and Crotalus stejnegeri. These species have been the least studied rattlesnakes in all aspects, and no study on the characterization of their venoms has been carried out to date. Our main objective was to investigate the proteomic composition, as well as some of the biochemical and toxic activities of these venoms, and their neutralization by commercial antivenom.

Differential Antivenom and Small-Molecule Inhibition of Novel Coagulotoxic Variations in and American Viperid Snake Venoms.

Within Neotropical pit-vipers, the Mexican/Central-American clade consisting of , , , and is a wide-ranging, morphologically and ecologically diverse group of snakes. Despite their prevalence, little is known of the functional aspects of their venoms. This study aimed to fill the knowledge gap regarding coagulotoxic effects and to examine the potential of different therapeutic approaches.

Characterization of the venom and external morphology of a natural hybrid between Crotalus atrox and Crotalus mictlantecuhtli.

Here we report, for the first time, a natural hybrid between Crotalus atrox and C. mictlantecuhtli based on intermediate characteristics of the external morphology and venom. Morphologically, the individual had characteristics of both parent species.

Biological and Biochemical Characterization of Coronado Island Rattlesnake () Venom and Antivenom Neutralization.

The Baja California Peninsula has over 250 islands and islets with many endemic species. Among them, rattlesnakes are the most numerous but also one of the least studied groups. The study of island rattlesnake venom could guide us to a better understanding of evolutionary processes and the description of novel toxins.

BoaγPLI from Boa constrictor Blood is a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Venom PLA Pathophysiological Actions.

The use of venom in predation exerts a corresponding selection pressure for the evolution of venom resistance. One of the mechanisms related to venom resistance in animals (predators or prey of snakes) is the presence of molecules in the blood that can bind venom toxins, and inhibit their pharmacological effects. One such toxin type are venom phospholipase As (PLAs), which have diverse effects including anticoagulant, myotoxic, and neurotoxic activities.

A Clot Twist: Extreme Variation in Coagulotoxicity Mechanisms in Mexican Neotropical Rattlesnake Venoms.

Rattlesnakes are a diverse clade of pit vipers (snake family Viperidae, subfamily Crotalinae) that consists of numerous medically significant species. We used validated assays measuring venom-induced clotting time and strength of any clots formed in human plasma and fibrinogen to assess the coagulotoxic activity of the four medically relevant Mexican rattlesnake species , and . We report the first evidence of true procoagulant activity by Neotropical rattlesnake venom in .

A symphony of destruction: Dynamic differential fibrinogenolytic toxicity by rattlesnake (Crotalus and Sistrurus) venoms.

What factors influence the evolution of a heavily selected functional trait in a diverse clade? This study adopts rattlesnakes as a model group to investigate the evolutionary history of venom coagulotoxicity in the wider context of phylogenetics, natural history, and biology. Venom-induced clotting of human plasma and fibrinogen was determined and mapped onto the rattlesnake phylogenetic tree to reconstruct the evolution of coagulotoxicity across the group. Our results indicate that venom phenotype is often independent of phylogenetic relationships in rattlesnakes, suggesting the importance of diet and/or other environmental variables in driving venom evolution.

Pan-American Lancehead Pit-Vipers: Coagulotoxic Venom Effects and Antivenom Neutralisation of and Geographical Variants.

The toxin composition of snake venoms and, thus, their functional activity, can vary between and within species. Intraspecific venom variation across a species' geographic range is a major concern for antivenom treatment of envenomations, particularly for countries like French Guiana that lack a locally produced antivenom. and are the most medically significant species of snakes in Latin America, both producing a variety of clinical manifestations, including systemic bleeding.