Venomic analysis and evaluation of antivenom cross-reactivity of South American Micrurus species

Coral snakes from Micrurus genus are the main representatives of the Elapidae family in South America. However, biochemical and pharmacological features regarding their venom constituents remain poorly investigated. Here, venomic analyses were carried out aiming at a deeper understanding on the composition of M. frontalis, M. ibiboboca, and M. lemniscatus venoms. In the three venoms investigated, proteins ranging from 6 to 8 kDa (3FTx) and 12 to 14 kDa (PLA2) were found to be the most abundant. Also, the N-terminal sequences of four new proteins, purified from the M. lemniscatus venom, similar to 3FTx, PLA2 and Kunitz-type protease inhibitor from other Micrurus and elapid venoms are reported. Cross-reactivity among different Micrurus venoms and homologous or heterologous antivenoms was carried out by means of 2D-electrophoresis and immunoblotting. As, expected, the heterologous anti-Elapid venom displayed the highest degree of cross-reactivity. Conversely, anti-M. corallinus reacted weakly against the tested venoms. In gel digestions, followed by mass spectrometry sequencing and similarity searching, revealed the most immunogenic protein families as similar to short and long neurotoxins, weak neurotoxins, PLA2, β-bungarotoxin, venom protein E2, frontoxin III, LAO and C-type lectin. The implications of our results for the production of Micrurus antivenoms are discussed.

Venomic analyses using some Brazilian Micrurus spp venoms and cross-reactivity by 2D-immunoblotting using homologous or heterologous Micrurus antivenoms to improve the production of anti-elapid antivenoms in light of venoms compositions.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (40 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Venomic analyses for Micrurus frontalis, M. ibiboboca, M. lemniscatus and M. spixii venoms.
► Cross-reactivity among different Micrurus venoms and antivenoms by 2D-immunoblotting.
► The production of anti-elapidic antivenoms in light of venoms compositions.