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Accepted posters
(Presenters in Bold)
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Hemachatus haemachatus snake cross-reactivity with other vipers and elapids
Rae Ahamed
University of Reading, School of Pharmacy, Whiteknights PO Box 217, Reading Berkshire, RG6 6AH
In Sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 1 million snakebites occur annually with up to fifty thousand permanent disabilities and mortalities. With three hundred and twenty species in sixty one genera are recognised as Elapidae, causing up to Forty percent of snake bites in Sub-Saharan countries. Elapid’s venom is mostly neurotoxic, however exceptions occur where some snake species may display both cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity. One example is the Hemachatus haemachatus, a southern african spitting cobra who’s snake venom composition includes phosphodiesterase, PLA2, prothrombin activators, three finger toxin and neurotoxin…
The linear epitope recognition landscape of commercial antivenoms to snake venoms of sub-Saharan Africa
Stuart Ainsworth1, Carina Skaarup2, Kamille Elvstrøm Krause2, Mikael Engmark2,4, Timothy Jenkins4, Charlotte Dawson1, Nicholas Casewell1, Robert Harrison1, Bruno Lomonte3, Julián Fernández3, José María Gutiérrez3, Andreas H. Laustsen4 and Ole Lund2
1Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
2Department of Bio and Health Informatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
3Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
4Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Antivenoms are polyclonal mixtures of purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies or fragments thereof from venom-immunised animals. Currently, there are multiple antivenom therapeutics available for treating envenomation in sub-Saharan Africa. Although each product is manufactured in a quite similar manner, the venoms used for immunisation vary substantially between products, in terms of numbers of venoms used and where the species from which the venoms were obtained originate from. It is not known if the use of different venom immunising mixtures results in substantially different epitope recognition profiles for antivenoms, especially in…
Unravelling the diversity of fish venoms – Inter and instraspecific differences in Atlantic and Mediterranean scorpionfish (Scorpaena)
Frederico Almada1, Marta Araújo1, Francisca Rodrigues1, Sara M. Francisco1, Américo G. Duarte2, Sérgio Moreno3, Cristina S. Lima1, Luisa Maia4, José Moura4, Juan Calvete5
1MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal
2Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
3BIOECOMAC, Unidad Departamental de Ciencias Marinas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, s/n San Cristóbal de La Laguna. S/C de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
4LAQV, FCT NOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
5Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, CSIC, Jaume Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Research in blue biotechnology is thriving with the study of a vast array of novel molecules obtained from marine organisms. Surprisingly, thousands of species of venomous fish have been largely overlooked as a source of potential bioactive compounds. Furthermore, many species are morphologically similar and present cryptic behaviour which frequently results in broad taxonomic identifications in field surveys and unknown phylogenies. However, knowledge of their evolutionary relationships and the diversity of their venoms would allow effective predictions on characteristics that have not yet been studied. The genus Scorpaena, with 62 species…
Discovery of cross-reactive and pH-sensing monoclonal antibodies against neurotoxins from the notorious Tityus serrulatus scorpion
Felipe A Cerni1,2, Manuela B Pucca2,3, Eliane C Arantes1, Andreas H Laustsen2
1Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
2Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
3Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Av. Cap. Ene Garcês 2413, 69310-000, Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil
In Brazil, scorpion envenomings are considered an important public health problem. The yellow scorpion, Tityus serrulatus is considered the most dangerous species in the country, annually causing more than 120,000 envenomings. T. serrulatus is highly tolerant to food deprivation (surviving up to 400 days without food) and is able to produce offspring throughout the year by parthenogenesis. The major components from T. serrulatus venom are ion channel-modulating neurotoxins. These induce a neuroexcitatory syndrome, resulting in the severe envenoming and mortality. Among T. serrulatus neurotoxins, Ts1, Ts2, and Ts5 are considered…
Fibrinogenolytic activity of Causus snake venoms
Francisco CP Coimbra, Bryan G Fry
Venom Evolution Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
Night Adders (Genus Causus) are responsible for a large proportion of envenomings in sub-Saharan Africa. Although not usually life-threatening, clinical reports indicate that Causus envenomings impair coagulation via anticoagulant mechanisms; however, these venoms have been poorly characterised. The aim of this study was to determine proteomic composition and characterise the fibrinogenolytic activity of venom from night adder species C. lichtensteinii and C. rhombeatus. SDS-PAGE and tandem-mass spectrometry sequencing were performed to identify toxin components. Fibrinogenolysis was qualified in time-dependent incubation assays…
Ornithogalum plants, an unrecognized risk to animals and possible humans
Marieke A Dijkman, Irma de Vries
Dutch Poisons Information Center (DPIC), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Several Ornithogalum species are held as ornamental plants and flowers. Some species are considered extremely toxic due to suspected involvement of cardiac glycosides. We present a retrospective overview of consultations to the DPIC concerning Ornithogalum plant exposures. From 2007-2018, 25 cases involving 28 patients were recorded; 14 animals (12 dogs/2 cats) and 14 humans. In 56% the Ornithogalum species was known: O. arabicum (1 dog), O. dubium (1 human), O. saundersiae (4 dogs, 1 human) and O. thyrsoides (7 humans). Predominantly young children (n=10, 0-4 yr) and dogs (n=7, 0-1 yr) were involved. Humans and cats…
Toxin-Specific Phospholipase A2 Antibodies in the Detection and Neutralisation of a Range of Snake Venoms
Alice Filipe, Harry F. Williams, Sakthivel Vaiyapuri
School of Pharmacy, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, UK
Snakebite envenomation is a neglected tropical disease which causes over 100,000 deaths a year. Different compositions of proteins/toxins present in each species’ venom causes difficulty in treatment. Currently, if the snake remains unidentified, a polyvalent antivenom treatment, which has remained unchanged for 125 years, is the only treatment available. This treatment has a low specificity causing a less effective treatment. Resultantly, more antivenom must be administered, increasing the risk of an anaphylactic reaction. The impact of creating a more specific treatment for different snake venoms or a quick form of species identification, would increase…
Discovery of human antibody fragments against α-latrotoxin from the Mediterranean black widow spider
Sofie Føns, Line Ledsgaard & Andreas H. Laustsen
Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Widow spiders are among the few spider species worldwide that can cause serious envenoming in humans. The mainstay treatment of spider bite envenoming is antivenom consisting of antibodies derived from the plasma of hyperimmunised animals. While these antivenoms save lives, some products have suboptimal safety, efficacy, affordability, and availability. To address these disadvantages, the development of recombinant antivenoms based on human monoclonal antibodies targeting key spider toxins may be a promising solution. The aim of this project is to harness phage display technology to discover human monoclonal antibodies…
A novel method to determine prey-specific nicotinic acetylcholine receptor orthosteric binding of elapid venoms
Richard J. Harris1, Christina N. Zdenek1, Sanjaya Kuruppu2, Bryan G. Fry1
1Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
2Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
The α-neurotoxin family shown to target nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) belong to a molecular group known as three-finger toxins (3FTxs). These toxins are ubiquitous throughout the elapid snake venoms, more recently having been isolated from some colubrids and other advanced snakes. The plesiotypic function of 3FTxs is neuromuscular targeting of the orthosteric site on α1 nAChR subunits and show a greater potency toward diapsids (reptiles and birds) than synapsids (mammals), indicating prey-specific targeting. Yet despite this, very few studies have investigated the prey-specific nAChR binding of elapid venoms. Current analytical methods in…
Design, Synthesis and Characterisation of Potent Conotoxin Peptidomimetics Incorporating a Triazole Disulfide Bond Mimic
Knuhtsen,1 C. Whitmore,2 F. S. McWhinnie,1 L. McDougall,1 B. O. Smith,3 C. M. Timperley,2 A. C. Green,2 K. I. Kinnear2 and A. G. Jamieson1
1School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
2Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, UK
3Institute of Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
The potency and selectivity of conotoxin peptides for neuropathic receptors has made them attractive lead compounds in the development of new therapeutics. However, these disulfide bond rich peptides are limited as lead drug compounds due to their unfavourable physicochemical properties. We have used a peptidomimetic triazole disulfide bridge surrogate to replace each disulfide bridge in turn within α-conotoxin GI. This produced a mimetic with an order of magnitude increase in blood plasma stability, whilst retaining full biological activity. Our studies were performed in human CN21 cells expressing human AChRs, making them applicable towards drug development in humans…
Harnessing monoclonal antibodies for the development of a next generation antivenom against Naja nigricollis envenoming
Jonas A. Jürgensen, Rahel Janke, Rasmus I. Dehli, Andrea M. Esteban, Sofie Føns, Line L. Jensen, Andreas H. Laustsen
Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark
The Black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis) is one of the most infamous snake species found in the African continent, being classified as a category 1 snake of highest medical importance by the WHO. Its venom consists of highly potent mixture of cytotoxins, leaving many of its victims crippled for life. Currently, the African continent is affected by an antivenom shortage. Furthermore, due to the heterologous origin and low specificity of these antivenoms, they have a propensity to cause severe adverse reactions, including serum sickness and anaphylaxis, which could lead to death of the patient. Here we explore recombinant antibodies as a therapeutic alternative…
Snake venom proteinase activity profiling through screening of peptide substrates
Konstantinos Kalogeropoulos1, Andreas Frederik Treschow1, Ulrich auf dem Keller1, Teresa Escalante2, Alexandra Rucavado2, José María Gutiérrez2, Andreas Hougaard Laustsen1, Christopher T. Workman1
1Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
2Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
Metalloproteinases and serine proteinases are among the most abundant enzymes in many snake venoms, particularly among viperids. These proteinases are responsible for some of the clinical manifestations classically seen in viperid snakebites, including hemorrhage, necrosis, and coagulopathies. The study investigated the activities of said proteinases using a rich peptide library of biologically relevant proteins, as a method of screening for the target substrates of the venom proteinases of five viperid (Echis carinatus, Bothrops asper, Daboia russelii, Bitis arietans, Bitis gabonica) and one elapid (Naja nigricollis) species of high medical importance…
Discovery and evaluation of immunoglobulin G antibodies for rapid stratification of snakebites from Bothrops, Crotalus, and Lachesis species in Brazil
Cecilie Knudsen1,2, Søren H. Dam1, Aleksander M. Haack1, Rasmus U. W. Friis1, Jonas A. Jürgensen1, Jan K. Andersen2, Andreas H. Laustsen1
1Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
2BioPorto Diagnostics A/S, Tuborg Havnevej 15, DK-2900 Hellerup, Denmark
Approximately 600 species of venomous snakes roam the Earth. Out of these, around 200 species are considered to be of medical importance because of their contribution to the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) of snakebite envenoming. While it is broadly agreed upon that snakebite envenoming causes pain, death, and suffering, the extent of the mortality and morbidity, which can be attributed to the disease, is debated due to a lack of epidemiological data. Here, we present a study on discovery and evaluation of monoclonal murine immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies with the purpose of employing these antibodies in the development of an assay for…
Bangladesh’s Venom Research Centre: towards a national production of snake venoms and antivenom testing capacity
Aniruddha Ghose1, 2, M Farid Ahsan2, 3, M A Wahed Chowdhury2, 3, M Mizanur Rahman2, Mohammed Noman2, Ibrahim K A Haidar2, Dilruba A Rumi2, M Borhan Biswas Romon2, Abdullah A Sayeed1, 2, Sujat Paul1, 2, Anupam Barua1, 2, M A Sattar1, 2, Forhad U H Chowdhury2, 4, M Robed Amin2, 5, M Ridwanur Rahman2, 4, Selim M Jahangir1, 2, Asok K Dutta1, 2, M Abul Faiz2, 4, 5, Ulrich Kuch2, 6
1Chattogram Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
2Venom Research Centre, Chattogram Medical College, Bangladesh
3Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
4Bangladesh Association for Advancement of Tropical Medicine, Dhaka, Bangladesh
5Toxicology Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
6Institute of Occupational Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Snakebite is a neglected health problem in Bangladesh with more than 600,000 bites and more than 6,000 deaths annually. The currently used antivenom is produced against the venoms of four species of snake of India but does not cover the medically most important snakes of Bangladesh. Following WHO recommendations, the Government of Bangladesh has taken an initiative to produce specific antivenom for the country under its non-communicable disease control programme. Towards this goal, a Venom Research Centre (VRC) was established in Chattogram Medical College which is known internationally for its snakebite clinic and related research…
Isolation, purification, characterization and an insight of in silico analysis of hyaluronidase from Naja species (Nigricollis, Haje and Katiensis) snake venom
Binta G Kurfi1, Jamila Abdullahi2, Ibrahim Aminu3, Nasiru Abdullahi4.
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of basic medical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria Elapid venom is highly valuable and possesses medically and pharmacologically important peptides, Naja species venom retains elapid neurotoxins in combination with cytotoxins and cardiotoxins, venom. In this report, hyaluronidase (Hyase) was purified and characterized from the venom of three species of Naja ( Nigricollis, haje and katiensis) involved in accidents with humans in the sub-Saharan Africa particularly Nigeria, and an insight of Insilco analysis of the enzyme. Purification of the enzyme was done using…
Discovery of cross-reactive human monoclonal antibodies against short neurotoxins from the black mamba and the forest cobra
Line Ledsgaard1, Andrea Martos-Esteban2, Shirin Ahmadi1,3, Aneesh Karatt-Vellatt2, John McCafferty2, Andreas H. Laustsen1
1Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
2IONTAS Ltd., Iconix Park, London Road, Pampisford, Cambridgeshire CB22 3EG, United Kingdom
3Department of Biotechnology and Biosafety, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Meselik Yerleskesi 26480, Eskisehir, Turkey
Snakebite envenoming is one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases and constitutes a serious global health challenge in tropical regions of the world. Each year, snakebite envenoming has a death toll of 125,000 people and causes around 400,000 amputations and other sequalae. The only effective therapy specific for envenoming is antivenom, which is derived from the plasma of animals immunized with snake venom. However, due to its heterologous nature, antivenom can be associated with severe adverse reactions…
Examining the insecticidal potential of spitting cobra venom to address the global health threat posed by insecticide resistance
Rebecca Lees, Hatim Altumari, Mark Wilkinson, Gareth Lycett, Robert Harrison
Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA
Mosquito-transmitted parasitic and viral diseases collectively cause approximately a million deaths annually. Vector control strategies involve the deployment of adulticide and larvicide formulations and the distribution of bed-nets impregnated with insecticide. The rapid spread of insecticide-resistance is therefore a global health threat. Invertebrate venoms have previously been investigated for molecules with biocidal activity against human and agricultural disease vectors with success. Like invertebrate venoms, snake venoms additionally…
Comparison of five protocols for the whole IgG snake antivenom purification in terms of stability, purity and immunoglobulin subclass composition
Sanja Mateljak Lukačević, Tihana Kurtović, Marija Brgles and Beata Halassy
University of Zagreb, Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, Rockefellerova 10, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
The whole IgG antivenoms are obtained from the hyperimmune animal plasma by various refinement strategies. Besides therapeutic action, the “refined” preparations still commonly cause clinical side effects attributable to contaminating proteins and /or aggregates. There has been a hypothesis in the literature, that some purification procedures (precipitation of IgGs, low pH-mediated elution of IgGs in chromatography), which induce transient conformational changes of IgG molecules, make their structure less stable and more prone to aggregation, in contrast to others that leave them in solution throughout (caprylic acid precipitation of non-IgG …
Pro-inflammatory properties of B. lanceolatus venom: analysis in the human whole blood model
Joel José Megale Gabrili1, Felipe França1, Laurence Mathieu2, Joël Blomet2, Denise V. Tambourgi1
1Immunochemistry Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
2Prevor Laboratory, Valmondois, France
Bothrops lanceolatus, commonly named Martinique lancehead (“Fer-de-lance”), is a native species confined to the Caribbean island of Martinique. Its venom causes systemic thrombotic syndrome but also local inflammation involving extensive oedema, pain, and haemorrhage. Systemic thrombotic syndrome may lead to fatal pulmonary embolism and myocardial and cerebral infarction. B. lanceolatus venom, in vitro, is able to activate the complement system in normal human serum and induce the generation of anaphylatoxins, whose mechanisms include the direct cleavage of complement components by snake venom…
Snakebite Education Resources
Bethany S Moos
Improving Global Health through Leadership Development Fellow, Health Education England, Southern House, Otterbourne, Winchester SO21 2RU, UK
Introduction: Snakebite remains a public health concern of significant standing in Myanmar. Many patients still use inappropriate first aid methods or manipulations, which can lead to a delay in presentation and be associated with detrimental health outcomes. Patient education about the importance of prevention and appropriate first aid measures are essential if we are to improve outcomes in keeping with the World Health Organization target of halving death and disability from snakebite by 2030. Existing resources wer…
Exposures to hogweed (Heracleum spp.) reported to the DPIC, including systemic effects after ingestion of ‘giant hogweed soup’
Henneke N Mulder-Spijkerboer1, Anne A Kan1, Moniek CM Koomen2, Dylan W de Lange1
1Dutch Poisons Information Center (DPIC), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
2Independent general practitioner
In this study, we retrospectively describe all human exposures to hogweed (Heracleum spp.) reported to the Dutch National Poisons Information Center (DPIC) from 2014 to 2018. Additionally, we report the development of systemic effects in an adult after ingestion of giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Results: The DPIC was consulted about 106 patient with exposure to hogweed. The most common exposures were dermal and/or eye contact in adults while gardening (43%), and dermal contact and/or ingestion of small amounts in children while playing outside (42%). Skin contact in combination with exposure to…
Mass spectrometry analysis of a new aggregation platelet inhibitor from Crotalus durissus collilineatus snake venom
Isadora S Oliveira1,2, Manuela B Pucca3, Marco A Sartim4, Dominique Baiwir2, Gabriel Mazzucchelli2, Suely V Sampaio5, Eliane C Arantes1, Loïc Quinton2
1Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
2Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, MolSys Research Unit, Liège Université, Liège, Belgium
3Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, RR, Brazil
4Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
5Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
Animal venoms are rich sources of biologically active molecules with potential therapeutical properties. Anti-thrombotic drugs based on platelet aggregation inhibitors isolated from snake venoms are currently available for vascular disturbs treatment, such as Aggrastat® and Integrilin®. Among platelet aggregation inhibitors, phosphodiesterases (PDE) show a different mechanism from disintegrins by cleaving phosphodiester bonds of nucleic acids and other components with platelet aggregation activity, as ADP. This study aims to isolate a PDE from Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom, to characterize it through mass spectrometry…
Characterization of Angolan snake venoms of medical importance and recognition by an experimental murine serum
Paula R S Oliveira1, Maria de L Bastos2, Denise V Tambourgi3
1Faculty of Medicine, Katyavala Bwila University, Benguela, Angola
2UCIBIO REQUIMTE, Toxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
3Immunochemistry Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
Snakebites are a health problem in many countries around the world, including Angola. These accidents are considered a ‘’Neglected Tropical Disease’’, responsible for high morbidity and mortality in the Sub-Saharan Africa. The extent of this health problem in Angola is still unknown. The objectives of this study were to biochemically analyze the venoms from snakes, collected in Angola; to evaluate the immunogenicity of the venoms; to produce experimental antivenom sera. A two-step methodological design was carried out, including the biochemical characterization of venoms from snakes captured in Angola, by analyzing the : i) protein…
Targeting melittin from Africanized bee venom with pH-sensing human monoclonal antibodies
Manuela B Pucca1,2, Felipe A Cerni1,3, Eliane C Arantes3, Andreas H Laustsen2
1Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Av. Cap. Ene Garcês 2413, 69310-000, Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil
2Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
3Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
Envenomings and deaths caused by bees represent a serious health problem in the Americas. Over 1,000 human deaths due to bee envenoming have been recorded throughout time. The actual number is unknown, but likely to be significantly higher, as some bee sting deaths are erroneously attributed to heart attacks and other causes. Africanized bees (i.e. killer bees) are the main perpetrators for these attacks due to nesting habits, aggressive nature, and their high propensity to swarm and chase intruders for several miles with the purpose of attacking in high numbers. To many people, severe bee envenoming is not life-threatening…
Structural and functional characterization of Latrodectin II, a low molecular weight component from black widow spider venom
Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre1, Javier Narbona1, David Pantoja-Uceda2, Gustavo Titaux2, Belén Patiño3, Pilar Medina4, José G. Gavilanes1, Jessica E. Garb5, María-Ángeles Jiménez2, Álvaro Martínez-del-Pozo1
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
2Department of Biological Physical Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry Rocasolano (IQFR), CSIC, Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
3Department of Microbiology III, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
4Unidad de Protección de Cultivos, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
5Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
Latrodectins (Ltds) are low molecular weight proteins of around 70 amino acids (6-8kDa), with an acidic isoelectric point and a high content of disulphide bridges that have been detected within black widow spider venom (Latrodectus spp). They have been isolated in small amounts from the venomous cocktail of black widow species but have not been characterized in deep detail. They usually appear as an omnipresent component in latrotoxin (LTXs) preparations. These LTXs are the most characteristic high molecular weight proteins (110-140kDa) within Latrodectus spp venom, the toxic activity of which relies in the formation of pores through…
Developing high-throughput screening assays for accelerating discovery of P2X receptor modulators from venoms
Lucka Bibic1, Volker Herzig2, Carenza Smith1, Glenn F. King2, Mark Searcey1, Leanne Stokes1
1School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich UK
2Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Australia. Animal venoms play an important role in drug discovery as they contain a rich source of bioactive molecules evolutionarily fine-tuned to target ion channels and receptors. Evaluation of venom constituents against interesting ion channel and receptor targets requires the use of appropriate screening systems and high throughput platforms. We have established a number of quantitative fluorescent-based high throughput screening assays for assessing activity of venom toxins at purinergic P2X ligand-gated ion channels. Our fluorescent based screens measure agonist-induced calcium…
Anticancer, antibacterial and insecticidal effect of assassin bug Rhynocoris iracundus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) venom
Miray Tonk1*,, Nicolai Rügen2*, T. Jenkins3, H. Vogel4, N. Welsch4,Andreas Vilcinskas1,2
1Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Winchester Strasse 2, 35392 Giessen, Germany
2Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany
3Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
4Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Entomology, Jena, Germany
*shared first authorship
Animal venoms constitute a rich source of biologically active compounds with high potential for novel structures with therapeutic and biotechnological applications. In this study, we used predatory assassin bugs, Rhynocoris iracundus, which use their venom to capture prey or as a self-defence mechanism. Interestingly, their venom is capable of extra-oral digestion of the prey. Predatory assassin bugs are not medically important, the potential effect of their venom was therefore neglected so far. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the cytotoxic, haemolytic, antibacterial and insecticidal effect of crude venom of R. iracundus. For this purpose…
