Abstract
Snake venoms comprise a highly complex mixture of proteins, which requires for their characterization the use of versatile two-dimensional electrophoresis techniques. In the present study, venoms obtained from eight snakes (Ophiophagus hannah, Naja kaouthia, Naja sumatrana, Bungarus fasciatus, Trimeresurus sumatranus, Tropidolaemus wagleri, Enhydrina schistosa and Calloselasma rhodostoma) commonly found in Malaysia were separated based on two independent properties, isoelectric point (pI) and molecular weight (MW). Many differences in snake venoms at the inter-family, inter-subfamily, inter-genus and inter-species levels were revealed. Notably, proteins from individuals of the Viperidae family - Trimeresurus sumatranus, Tropidolaemus wagleri and Calloselasma rhodostoma - were found to be numerous and scattered by the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) specifically in regions between 37 and 100 kDa compared to the Elapidae venom proteins. The latter were clustered at the basic and lower molecular mass region (less than 20 kDa). Trains of spots were commonly observed, indicating that these proteins may be derived from post-translational modifications. Ophiophagus hannah (Elapidae) revealed a great amount of protein spots in the higher molecular mass range when compared to Enhydrina schistosa, Naja kaouthia, Naja sumatrana and Bungarus fasciatus. Overall 2DE showed large differences in the venom profile of each species, which might be employed as an ancillary tool to the identification of venomous snake species.
Highlights
Snake venoms comprise a source of millions of peptides and proteins that can act on a myriad of exogenous targets such as ion channels, receptors and enzymes within cells or on the cell membrane [1]
It has evolved over the years with the advent of new methods such as protein electrophoretic analyses, Vejayan J, et al Protein profile analysis of Malaysian snake venoms by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis
Venoms Venoms were extracted from eight species of Malaysian venomous snakes, namely: Ophiophagus hannah, Naja kaouthia, Naja sumatrana, Bungarus fasciatus, Trimeresurus sumatranus, Tropidolaemus wagleri, Enhydrina schistosa and Calloselasma rhodostoma
Summary
Snake venoms comprise a source of millions of peptides and proteins that can act on a myriad of exogenous targets such as ion channels, receptors and enzymes within cells or on the cell membrane [1]. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) is able of separating highly complex protein mixtures onto a single gel, enabling a more complete study of natural venoms. The versatility of this proteomics tool has been demonstrated in diverse applications ranging from uncovering information of novel proteins to identifying the minute differences of very closely related organisms. The taxonomy of snakes is largely based on morphological traits It has evolved over the years with the advent of new methods such as protein electrophoretic analyses, Vejayan J, et al Protein profile analysis of Malaysian snake venoms by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis
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