Biological characterization of the Amazon coral Micrurus spixii snake venom: Isolation of a new neurotoxic phospholipase A2. (1st September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Terra, Angelo L.C.; Moreira-Dill, Leandro S.; Simões-Silva, Rodrigo; Monteiro, José Roniele N.; Cavalcante, Walter L.G.; Gallacci, Márcia; Barros, Neuza B.; Nicolete, Roberto; Teles, Carolina B.G.; Medeiros, Patrícia S.M.; Zanchi, Fernando B.; Zuliani, Juliana P.; Calderon, Leonardo A.; Stábeli, Rodrigo G.; Soares, Andreimar M.
• Is Part Of: Toxicon. Volume 103(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2015-09-01
• Subjects: Snake venom -- Micrurus spixii -- Phospholipase A2 -- Neurotoxicity -- Microbicidal potential; Toxins -- Periodicals; Venom -- Periodicals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.06.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0041-0101

Abstract

Abstract: The Micrurus genus is the American representative of Elapidae family. Micrurus spixii is endemic of South America and northern states of Brazil. Elapidic venoms contain neurotoxins that promote curare-mimetic neuromuscular blockage. In this study, biochemical and functional characterizations of M. spixii crude venom were performed and a new neurotoxic phospholipase A2 called MsPLA2 -I was isolated. M. spixii crude venom caused severe swelling in the legs of tested mice and significant release of creatine kinase (CK) showing its myotoxic activity. Leishmanicidal activity against Leishmania amazonensis (IC50 1.24 μg/mL) was also observed, along with antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum, which are unprecedented for Micrurus venoms. MsPLA2 -I with a Mr 12, 809.4 Da was isolated from the crude venom of M. spixii . The N-terminal sequencing of a fragment of 60 amino acids showed 80% similarity with another PLA2 from Micrurus altirostris . This toxin and the crude venom showed phospholipase activity. In a mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation, M. spixii venom and MsPLA2 -I induced the blockage of both direct and indirect twitches. While the venom presented a pronounced myotoxic activity, MsPLA2 -I expressed a summation of neurotoxic activity. The results of this study make M. spixii crude venom promising compounds in the exploration of molecules with microbicidal potential. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Biological characterization of the Amazon coral Micrurus spixii snake venom. Isolation of a new neurotoxic phospholipase A2 . M. spixii venom caused leishmanicidal activity against Leishmania amazonensis . M. spixii venom induced the antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum . M. spixii venom and MsPLA2 -I induced the blockage of both direct and indirect twitches.