Abstract
Snake venom is a rich source of peptides and proteins with a wide range of actions. Many of the venom components are currently being tested for their usefulness in the treatment of many diseases ranging from neurological and cardiovascular to cancer. It is also important to constantly search for new proteins and peptides with properties not yet described. The venom of Vipera berus berus has hemolytic, proteolytic and cytotoxic properties, but its exact composition and the factors responsible for these properties are not known. Therefore, an attempt was made to identify proteins and peptides derived from this species venom by using high resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI ToF/ToF mass spectrometry. A total of 11 protein classes have been identified mainly proteases but also l-amino acid oxidases, C-type lectin like proteins, cysteine-rich venom proteins and phospholipases A2 and 4 peptides of molecular weight less than 1500 Da. Most of the identified proteins are responsible for the highly hemotoxic properties of the venom. Presence of venom phospholipases A2 and l-amino acid oxidases cause moderate neuro-, myo- and cytotoxicity. All successfully identified peptides belong to the bradykinin-potentiating peptides family. The mass spectrometry data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD004958.
Highlights
Venom is a complex mixture of various chemicals that are used to kill or immobilize the victim and eventually help digestion
Venoms produced by snakes consist of many components, of which proteins and peptides are the largest group
Many of these components have a synergistic effect, which ensures the quick effect of venom on prey
Summary
Venom is a complex mixture of various chemicals that are used to kill or immobilize the victim and eventually help digestion. These substances affect nervous, muscular and cardiovascular systems. Most of the toxic substances, as much as 95%, contained in the venom of snakes are polypeptides: enzymes and non-enzymatic proteins. Snakes produce venom of different composition and mechanisms of action, but within the family it has similar composition [1]. Vipera berus berus or common European adder is found in Europe and Asia in the areas of wetlands, peat bogs and forests, where they can find sunny slopes and glades. Depending on the area in which an individual resides, coloration varies from gray, blue-gray, brown, green-brown, red-brown to black
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