The characterization of trans-pecos copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster) venom and isolation of two new dimeric disintegrins. Issue 4 (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lucena, Sara; Rodríguez-Acosta, Alexis; Grilli, Elyse; Alfonso, Andrea; Goins, Amber; Ogbata, Ifunanya; Walls, Robert; Suntravat, Montamas; Uzcátegui, Nestor L.; Guerrero, Belsy; Sánchez, Elda E.
• Is Part Of: Biologicals. Volume 44:Issue 4(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: 191
• Page End: 197
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: Aggregation -- Dimeric disintegrins -- Platelets -- Venom -- Pictistatin; Biological products -- Standards -- Periodicals; Biological Products -- Periodicals; Biological Products -- standards -- Periodicals; Produits biologiques -- Normes -- Périodiques; Biological products -- Standards; Periodicals; 615.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2016.02.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1045-1056

Abstract

Abstract: The vast amounts of toxins within the venom of snakes, while known to cause medical emergencies, display various biological functions. Trans-pecos copperhead ( Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster ) crude venom separated by cation-exchange chromatography showed several fractions with fibrinolytic, hemorrhagic, gelatinase and platelet activities. Venom fractions 1, 2, 4, 5, and 12–17 contained fibrinolytic activity. Venom fractions 1, 2, 5 and 12–14 had hemorrhagic activity. Fractions 1, 2, 12, 13 and 17 contained gelatinase activity. Reverse-Phase C18 High Performance Liquid Chromatography was also used to purify and isolated disintegrins from this venom. Anti-platelet aggregation activity of the C18 fractions collected and performed on whole human blood showed that they inhibited platelet aggregation in presence of several agonists. Results from both SDS-PAGE and N-terminal sequencing determined that pictistatin 1 obtained from the Trans-Pecos copperhead venom was a dimeric disintegrin, and pictistatin 2 was a heterodimeric disintegrin. The molecules with anti-platelet activity could be considered in the development of more effective drugs, for numerous blood-related diseases such as stroke, heart attacks, thrombosis, and other medical conditions. In this study, we are presenting the first report of the purification, isolation, and partial characterization of two new dimeric disintegrins isolated from the venom of trans-pecos copperhead. Highlights: Trans-Pecos copperhead venom was fractionated by cation chromatography and its fractions were evaluated for various biological activities. Two novel dimeric disintegrins were isolated by C18 reverse phase chromatography and tested for platelet aggregation inhibition studies. Both disintegrins, pictistatin 1 and pictistatin 2, exhibited a strong platelet inhibition on ristocetin induced platelet aggregation.