Crotoxin, the main toxin from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, is a beta-neurotoxin which consists of the non-covalent association of two subunits: a phospholipase A2 subunit B (CB), and a non-enzymic subunit A (CA). We have previously purified and characterized several isoforms of each subunit of crotoxin in the venom collected from numerous snakes. Furthermore, three cDNAs encoding two CB isoforms and the precursor, pro-CA, of subunit A have been isolated from a cDNA library prepared from a single venom gland of Crotalus durissus terrificus. The aim of this study is to analyse an individual snake venom from an animal that has been used to construct a cDNA library. Several isoforms of subunit A and two isoforms of subunit B were isolated and compared to purified and characterized subunit isoforms from pooled venom. The result of this study showed that the multiplicity and the diversity of crotoxin isoforms result from post-translational modifications occurring on a precursor and from the expression of different messenger RNAs present in an individual snake. It allowed for the identification of the two CB isoforms encoding cDNAs expressed in the individual venom with two isoforms from pooled venom, CBc and probably CBa2, that belong to two classes of crotoxin complexes which can be distinguished biochemically and pharmacologically.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1432-1033.1994.tb18978.x | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Comparative Analysis of the Enzymatic, Coagulant, and Neuromuscular Activities of Two Variants of Venom and Antivenom Efficacy.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel)
January 2025
Laboratory of Toxinology and Cardiovascular Research, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente 19050-680, SP, Brazil.
We compared the enzymatic, coagulant, and neuromuscular activities of two variants (yellow-CDRy and white-CDRw) of venom with a sample of (CDT) venom and examined their neutralization by antivenom against CDT venom. The venoms were screened for enzymatic and coagulant activities using standard assays, and electrophoretic profiles were compared by SDS-PAGE. Neutralization was assessed by preincubating venoms with crotalic antivenom and assaying the residual activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDistribution and role of peripheral arterial chemoreceptors in cardio-respiratory control of the south american rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus).
J Exp Biol
January 2025
Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada.
Peripheral arterial chemoreceptors monitor the levels of arterial blood gases and adjust ventilation and perfusion to meet metabolic demands. These chemoreceptors are present in all vertebrates studied to date but have not been described fully in reptiles other than turtles. The goals of this study were to 1) identify functional chemosensory areas in the South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) 2) determine the neurochemical content of putative chemosensory cells in these areas and 3) determine the role each area plays in ventilatory and cardiovascular control.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAbility of brazilian Bothrops-Lachesis-Crotalus antivenom in neutralizing some biological activities of Crotalus durissus ruruima rattlesnake venom.
Toxicon
January 2025
Teaching and Research Center, Francisca Mendes Heart Hospital Foundation, Manaus, 69097-720, Brazil; Research management, Hospital Foundation of Hematology and Hemotherapy of Amazonas, 69050-001, Brazil. Electronic address:
We evaluated the efficacy of freeze-dried Bothrops-Lachesis-Crotalus antivenom and liquid Crotalus antivenoms to neutralize Crotalus durissus ruruima (Cdr) venom (Roraima, Brazil) comparing with C. d. terrificus (Cdt) venom.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMyotoxicity of Crotoxin on C2C12 Myoblasts and its Inhibition by Crotalus Neutralizing Factor versus Enhanced Resistance in Myotubes: Exploring Toxicity and Membrane Potential.
Curr Protein Pept Sci
November 2024
Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho-RO, Brazil.
Background: Crotalus Neutralizing Factor (CNF) is a γ-type Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor present in the blood of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake. Particularly, CNF inhibits the toxic action of Crotoxin (CTX), which is a major neurotoxin found in C. d.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMultiple Mononeuropathy following Crotalid Envenomation: A case report.
Rev Soc Bras Med Trop
October 2024
Universidade Federal do Ceará, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
Article Synopsis
- A 34-year-old man experienced severe symptoms after a rattlesnake bite and was treated with anticrotalic serum.
- Three weeks post-bite, he developed nerve-related issues in his left hand that spread to all limbs, leading to a diagnosis of asymmetric axonal sensorimotor multiple mononeuropathy.
- After receiving prednisone treatment, he showed significant improvement in nerve function after six months, marking a rare case of post-snake envenomation peripheral neuropathy that highlights the importance of timely recognition and treatment.
Want 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!