1. Proteomic and toxicological analysis of the venom of Micrurus yatesi and its neutralization by an antivenom
- Author
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Gianni Mena, Stephanie Chaves-Araya, Johelen Chacón, Enikő Török, Ferenc Török, Fabián Bonilla, Mahmood Sasa, José María Gutiérrez, Bruno Lomonte, and Julián Fernández
- Subjects
Venomics ,Micrurus alleni ,Micrurus yatesi ,Coralsnake ,Antivenom ,Toxicology. Poisons ,RA1190-1270 - Abstract
Coralsnakes belong to the family Elapidae and possess venoms which are lethal to humans and can be grouped based on the predominance of either three finger toxins (3FTxs) or phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). A proteomic and toxicological analysis of the venom of the coralsnake Micrurus yatesi was performed. This species, distributed in southeastern Costa Rica, was formerly considered a subspecies of M. alleni. Results showed that this venom is PLA2-rich, in contrast with the previously studied venom of Micrurus alleni. Toxicological evaluation of the venom, in accordance with proteomic data, revealed that it has a markedly higher in vitro PLA2 activity upon a synthetic substrate than M. alleni. The evaluation of in vivo myotoxicity in CD-1 mice using histological evaluation and plasma creatine kinase release also showed that M. yatesi venom caused muscle damage. A commercial equine antivenom prepared using the venom of Micrurus nigrocinctus displayed a similar recognition of the venoms of M. yatesi and M. nigrocinctus by enzyme immunoassay. This antivenom also immunorecognized the main fractions of the venom of M. yatesi and was able to neutralize its lethal effect in a murine model.
- Published
- 2022
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