Individual variations in the protein profiles and functional activities of the eyelash palm pit-viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) venom from the Colombian southwest region

Abstract

Bothriechis schlegelii is a venomous snake found in Central and South America, mainly sighted in regions devoted to agriculture. However, in Colombia, little is known about its contribution to the total envenoming cases. Furthermore, there are no reports of the biochemical and functional activities of venoms from the southwest populations, and the differences respecting other populations are unknown. This study analyzed the protein profiles of venom samples obtained from three specimens originating from this region of Colombia using electrophoresis and chromatography. The lethality, edema-induction, hemorrhagic, defibrinating, coagulant, and indirect hemolytic activities were also evaluated. As a result, venoms were composed of proteins with a wide range of molecular weights, most of them below <37 kDa, with differences between male and female electrophoretic and chromatographic profiles. These variations were also observed in the evaluation of venom functional activities such as pro-coagulant, indirect hemolytic, and edema-inducing activities, whereas neither hemorrhagic nor defibrinating activities were detected. These results are also different considering reports with venom samples from other geographical locations, restating the existence of high intraspecific variability in B. schlegelii venoms, which could have relevant pathophysiological and therapeutic implications.