AI Article Synopsis
- In Central and South America, snakebite envenomation is primarily caused by Bothrops spp. snakes, whose venom contains harmful serine proteases that current antivenoms don't fully neutralize.
- Researchers designed 6-mer peptides specifically to inhibit these venom serine proteases, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of antivenoms.
- They identified two promising inhibitor peptides, one of which showed potential in selectively inhibiting the venom's serine proteases without affecting human proteases, suggesting a new avenue for improving treatment for snakebites.
Article Abstract
Background: In Central and South America, snakebite envenomation is mainly caused by spp. snakes, whose venoms feature significant biochemical richness, including serine proteases. The available bothropic antivenoms are efficient in avoiding fatalities, but do not completely neutralize venom serine proteases, which are co-responsible for some disorders observed during envenomation.
Methods: In order to search for tools to improve the antivenom's, 6-mer peptides were designed based on a specific substrate for venom serine proteases, and then synthesized, with the intention to selectively inhibit these enzymes.
Results: Using batroxobin as a snake venom serine protease model, two structurally similar inhibitor peptides were identified. When tested on venom, one of the new inhibitors displayed a good potential to inhibit the activity of the venom serine proteases. These inhibitors do not affect human serine proteases as human factor Xa and thrombin, due to their selectivity.
Conclusion: Our study identified two small peptides able to inhibit bothropic serine proteases, but not human ones, can be used as tools to enhance knowledge of the venom composition and function. Moreover, one promising peptide (pepC) was identified that can be explored in the search for improving spp. envenomation treatment.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7810238 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-JVATITD-2020-0066 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
PSMA-PET/CT Findings in Patients With High-Risk Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer With No Metastatic Disease by Conventional Imaging.
JAMA Netw Open
January 2025
Ahmanson Translational Theranostics Division, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.
Importance: The phase 3 randomized EMBARK trial evaluated enzalutamide with or without leuprolide in high-risk nonmetastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Eligibility relied on conventional imaging, which underdetects metastatic disease compared with prostate-specific membrane antigen-positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET).
Objective: To describe the staging information obtained by PSMA-PET/computed tomography (PSMA-PET/CT) in a patient cohort eligible for the EMBARK trial.
Relationship between REI and PSA in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective case-control study.
Sleep Breath
January 2025
Clinical Internal Medicine Department, Shanghai Health and Medical Center, Wuxi, 214065, People's Republic of China.
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with various urinary system diseases, including prostatic hyperplasia and nocturia. Recently, it has been linked to prostate cancer. This study investigated the relationship between the apnea hypopnea index, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and changes in PSA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpatial expression of fibroblast activation protein-α in clear cell renal cell carcinomas revealed by multiplex immunoprofiling analysis of the tumor microenvironment.
Cancer Immunol Immunother
January 2025
Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Spain.
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most challenging neoplasms because of its phenotypic variability and intratumoral heterogeneity. Because of its variability, ccRCC is a good test bench for the application of new technological approaches to unveiling its intricacies. Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) is an emerging method that enables the simultaneous and detailed assessment of tumor and stromal cell subpopulations in a single tissue section.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBasic Science and Pathogenesis.
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA.
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious societal concern and is considered a major risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias. Identifying shared pathological mediators that contribute to the progression of AD following TBI may allow therapeutic targeting to reduce the likelihood of developing AD following TBI. Cerebrovascular dysfunction is present in both AD and TBI, and thrombin has been implicated as a mediator of cerebrovascular dysfunction and inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBasic Science and Pathogenesis.
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Background: A recent study of familial Alzheimer's disease identified a mutation in the RELN gene that appeared to delay the onset of dementia. It was hypothesized that this RELN-COLBOS variant protected against dementia by enhanced signaling at reelin receptors. We previously developed a secreted, bio-active reelin fragment (R36) and packaged it into AAV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!