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Background Multifunctional l -amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) occur widely in snake venoms. Methods The l -AAO from Bothrops leucurus (Bl-LAAO) venom was purified using a combination of molecular exclusion and ion-exchange chromatographies. We report some biochemical features of Bl-LAAO associated with its effect on platelet function and its cytotoxicity. Results Bl-LAAO is a 60 kDa monomeric glycoprotein. Its N-terminal sequence shows high homology to other members of the snake-venom LAAO family. Bl-LAAO catalyzes oxidative deamination of l -amino acids with the generation of H2O2. The best substrates were: l -Met, l -Norleu, l -Leu, l -Phe and l -Trp. The effects of snake venom LAAOs in hemostasis, especially their action on platelet function remain largely unknown. Bl-LAAO dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation of both human PRP and washed platelets. Moreover, the purified enzyme exhibited a killing effect in vitro against Leishmania sp., promastigotes, with a very low EC50 of 0.07 μM. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of Bl-LAAO was observed in the stomach cancer MKN-45, adeno carcinoma HUTU, colorectal RKO and human fibroblast LL-24 cell lines. The enzyme released enough H2O2 in culture medium to induce apoptosis in cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The biological effects were inhibited by catalase. Conclusion Bl-LAAO, a major component of B. leucurus venom, is a cytotoxin acting primarily via the generation of high amounts of H2O2 which kill the cells. General significance These results allow us to consider the use of LAAOs as anticancer agents, as tools in biochemical studies to investigate cellular processes, and to obtain a better understanding of the envenomation mechanism.

Recently, a few fish proteins have been described with a high homology to B-type lectins of monocotyledonous plants. Because of their mannose binding activity, they have been ascribed a role in innate immunity. By screening various fish venoms for their integrin inhibitory activity, we isolated a homologous protein from the fin stings and skin mucus of the scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri). This protein inhibits alpha1beta1 integrin binding to basement membrane collagen IV. By protein chemical and spectroscopic means, we demonstrated that this fish protein, called plumieribetin, is a homotetramer and contains a high content of anti-parallel beta strands, similar to the mannose-binding monocot B-lectins. It lacks both N-linked glycoconjugates and common O-glycan motifs. Despite its B-lectin-like structure, plumieribetin binds to alpha1beta1 integrin irrespective of N-glycosylation, suggesting a direct protein-protein interaction. This interaction is independent of divalent cations. On the cellular level, plumieribetin failed to completely detach hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells and primary arterial smooth muscle cells from the collagen IV fragment CB3. However, plumieribetin weakened the cell-collagen contacts, reduced cell spreading, and altered the actin cytoskeleton, after the compensating alpha2beta1 integrin was blocked. The integrin inhibiting effect of plumieribetin adds a new function to the B-lectin family, which is known for pathogen defense.

Leucurolysin-B (leuc-B) is an hemorrhagic metalloproteinase found in the venom of Bothrops leucurus (white-tailed-jararaca) snake. By means of liquid chromatography consisting of gel filtration on Sephracryl S-200, S-300 and ion-exchange on DEAE Sepharose, leuc-B was purified to homogeneity. The proteinase has an apparent molecular mass of 55kDa as revealed by the reduced SDS-PAGE, and represents approximately 1.2% of the total protein in B. leucurus venom. The partial amino acid sequence of leuc-B was determined by automated Edman sequencing of peptides derived from digests of the S-reduced and alkylated protein with trypsin. Leuc-B exhibits the characteristic motif of metalloproteinases, HEXXHXXGXXH and a methionine-containing turn of similar conformation ("Met-turn"), which forms a hydrophobic basis for the zinc ions and the three histidine residues involved as ligands. Leuc-B has been characterized as a P-III metalloproteinase and possesses a multidomain structure including a metalloproteinase, a disintegrin-like (ECD sequence instead of the typical RGD motif) and a cysteine-rich C-terminal domain. Leuc-B contains three potential sites of N-glycosylation. The enzyme only cleaves the Ala14-Leu15 peptide bond of the oxidized insulin B-chain and preferentially hydrolyzes the Aalpha-chain of fibrinogen and the alpha-chain of fibrin. Its proteolytic activity was completely inhibited by metal chelating agents but not by other typical proteinase inhibitors. In addition, its enzymatic activity was stimulated by the divalent cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ but inhibited by Zn2+ and Cu2+. The catalytic activity of leuc-B on extracellular matrix proteins could readily lead to loss of capillary integrity resulting in hemorrhage occurring at those sites (MHD=30ng in rabbit), with alterations in platelet function. In summary, here we report the isolation and the structure-function relationship of a P-III snake venom metalloproteinase.

Venomous fish are often involved in human accidents and symptoms of envenomation include local (intense pain and swelling) and systemic effects (cardiovascular and neurological disorders). However the only commercially available antivenom is against the Indo-Pacific stonefish Synanceja trachynis S tone f ish A nti v enom (SFAV). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of SFAV in neutralising the in vivo effects of some toxic activities of scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri venom (SpV), and the in vitro immuno cross-reactivity. The SpV (7.5–100 μg/animal) caused nociceptive and dose-dependent edematogenic responses in the mice footpad. In rats SpV (300 μg/kg, i.v.) produced immediate and transient increase in arterial blood pressure and decrease in heart rate. Prior incubation of SpV with SFAV (1 μg SpV/1 U SFAV) abolished the inflammatory response, and significantly attenuated the cardiovascular effects induced by SPV. Western blotting analysis on two-dimensional SDS-PAGE of S plumieri venom proteins using SFAV proved that the epitopes recognized by SFAV are shared with the ∼98 kDa proteins. This is the first report of venom similarities between Indo-Pacific and Atlantic venomous fish, suggesting that the SpV compound responsible for inflammatory and cardiovascular effects possesses similar biochemical and antigenic properties to those found in stonefish venom.

We report the isolation and structure–function relationship of a 23 kDa metalloproteinase named atroxlysin-I from the venom of the Peruvian Bothrops atrox (Jergon). Atroxlysin is a P-I metalloproteinase and contains 204 residues. Its proteolytic activity towards dimethylcasein is enhanced by Ca +2 but inhibited by EDTA, dithiothreitol, excessive Zn +2 and α2-macroglobulin. Unlike other structurally homologous P-I metalloproteinases, atroxlysin-I causes hemorrhages. To examine its hemorrhagic activity mechanistically, we studied its function in vitro and in vivo . It cleaved the Ala 14 –Leu 15 and Tyr 16 –Leu 17 bonds in oxidized insulin B-chain and specifically hydrolyzed the α-chains of fibrin(ogen) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Atroxlysin-I cleaved plasma fibronectin and other extracellular matrix proteins (collagens I and IV) and the triple-helical fragment CB3 of collagen IV, but did not degrade laminin-111. Complementarily, the laminin and collagen binding integrins α 7 β 1 and α 1 β 1 were cleaved by atroxlysin. Even without catalytic activity atroxlysin-I inhibited collagen- and ADP-triggered platelet aggregation.

SVMPs are multi-domain proteolytic enzymes in which disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains bind to cell receptors, plasma or ECM proteins. We have recently reported that jararhagin, a P-III class SVMP, binds to collagen with high affinity through an epitope located within the Da-disintegrin sub-domain. In this study, we evaluated the binding of jararhagin to alpha(2)beta(1) integrin (collagen receptor) using monoclonal antibodies and recombinant jararhagin fragments. In solid phase assays, binding of jararhagin to alpha(2)beta(1) integrin was detectable from concentrations of 20 nM. Using recombinant fragments of jararhagin, only fragment JC76 (residues 344-421), showed a significant binding to recombinant alpha(2)beta(1) integrin. The anti-jararhagin monoclonal antibody MAJar 3 efficiently neutralised binding of jararhagin to collagen, but not to recombinant alpha(2)beta(1) integrin nor to cell-surface-exposed alpha(2)beta(1) integrin (alpha(2)-K562 transfected cells and platelets). The same antibody neutralised collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Our data suggest that jararhagin binding to collagen and alpha(2)beta(1) integrin occurs by two independent motifs, which are located on disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains, respectively. Moreover, toxin binding to collagen appears to be sufficient to inhibit collagen-induced platelet aggregation.