Comparative analysis of the venom proteomes of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes and Vipera ammodytes meridionalis

The venom proteomics of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes and Vipera ammodytes meridionalis, snakes of public health significance and the most poisonous reptiles in Europe, were analyzed by FPLC, 2-D electrophoresis, sequence analysis, and MS/MS. FPLC analysis showed the presence of l-amino acid oxidase, monomeric and heterodimeric phospholipases A2, C-type lectin protein, and proteinases in the venom of V. a. ammodytes. Representatives of the same protein families were found in the venom of the other subspecies, V. a. meridionalis. N-terminally identical PLA2 neurotoxins were identified in both venoms. Difference in the PLA2 compositions of the venoms was also observed: a monomeric protein with phospholipase A2 activity, identical in the first 20 amino acid residues to the catalitically inactive acidic component of the heterodimeric PLA2 present in both venoms, was found only in that of V. a. meridionalis. Probably, this protein represents an intermediate form of the two components of the heterodimer. 2-D electrophoresis and MS/MS analysis showed that the two venoms shared a number of protein families: monomeric and heterodimeric Group II PLA2s, serine proteinases, Group I, II, and III metalloproteinases, l-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs), cysteine-rich secretory proteins, disintegrins, and growth factors. Totally, 38 venom components of the V. a. ammodytes, belonging to 9 protein families, and 67 components of the V. a. meridionalis venom belonging to 8 protein families were identified. The venom proteome of V. a. ammodytes shows larger diversity of proteins (139) in comparison to that of V. a. meridionalis (104 proteins). Most of the proteins are homologues of known representatives of the respective protein families. The protein compositions explain clinical effects of the V. ammodytes snakebites, such as difficulties in the breathing, paralysis, apoptosis, cloting disorders, hemorrhage, and tissue necrosis. The lists of secreted proteins by the two vipers can be used for further study of structure-function relationships in the toxins and for prediction and treatment of snakebite consequences.     

The first phospholipase inhibitor from the serum of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes

Ammodytoxins are neurotoxic secretory phospholipase A(2) molecules, some of the most toxic components of the long-nosed viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes) venom. Envenomation by this and by closely related vipers is quite frequent in southern parts of Europe and serotherapy is used in the most severe cases. Because of occasional complications, alternative medical treatment of envenomation is needed. In the present study, ammodytoxin inhibitor was purified from the serum of V. a. ammodytes using two affinity procedures and a gel exclusion chromatography step. The ammodytoxin inhibitor from V. a. ammodytes serum consists of 23- and 25-kDa glycoproteins that form an oligomer, probably a tetramer, of about 100 kDa. N-terminal sequencing and immunological analysis revealed that both types of subunit are very similar to gamma-type secretory phospholipase A(2) inhibitors. The ammodytoxin inhibitor from V. a. ammodytes serum is a potent inhibitor of phospholipase activity and hence probably also the neurotoxicity of ammodytoxins. Discovery of the novel natural inhibitor of these potent secretory phospholipase A(2) toxins opens up prospects for the development of new types of small peptide inhibitors for use in regulating the physiological and pathological activities of secretory phospholipases A(2).     

Ammodytoxin A, a highly lethal phospholipase A2 from Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom

The amino acid sequence of ammodytoxin A, the most toxic presynaptically active phospholipase A2 isolated from Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom, was determined. The primary structure was deduced from peptides obtained by Staphylococcus aureus proteinase and trypsin digestion of reduced and carboxymethylated protein and from the automated Edman degradation of the N-terminal part of the non-reduced molecule. According to the sequence, the enzyme classifies to the subgroup IIA of the phospholipase A2 family of enzymes. The location of basic residues believed to be responsible for the toxic activity of presynaptically active phospholipases differs substantially from those in the highly toxic enzymes of other subgroups. Comparison of the sequence with sequences of other snake venom enzymes indicates that the toxic site(s) may not be the same in all subgroups of presynaptically active phospholipases.     

The variability of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venoms from Croatia--biochemical properties and biological activity

Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom has been used for many years in Croatia for immunization of horses and production of specific therapeutic anti-venoms. The neutralizing effectiveness of anti-venoms is directly dependent on the properties of the snake venom used for immunization. Therefore, appropriate characterization of the whole venom is necessary prior to use in the immunization procedure. In the course of such analyses, the variability in biochemical properties and biological activity was observed in venoms collected from snakes originating from different parts of Croatia. The venom pools also differed with respect to time of snake collection (1992-2003). Analyses of three samples of whole venom pools were carried out revealing differences in lethal activity (LD50), minimum haemorrhagic dose (MHD), minimum necrotizing dose (MND), phospholipase A2 activity and in anticomplementary activity. SDS-PAGE electrophoretic patterns were similar, but not identical, for all tested venom pools with respect to the number of protein bands detected, but intensity of particular components differed. Preliminary immunogenicity testing in terms of determination of specific antibodies revealed similar immunogenicity and high cross-reactivity for three samples tested.     

Purification and properties of a kininogenin from the venom of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes.

A kininogenin (EC 3.4.21.8) was purified from the venom of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (European sand viper) by a combination of gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The enzyme is approximately six times more active than bovine trypsin in its ability to release vasoactive peptides from a plasma precursor. The kininogenin is a glycoprotein containing 18-20% by weight of carbohydrate. It showed a mol. wt. of 40500 on gel filtration. Gel electrophoresis of the reduced sample in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate and 2-mercaptoethanol revealed the presence of two major components of mol.wt. 34300 and 31300. The heterogeneity, which was also observed on disc electrophoresis, was removed by incubation with neuraminidase. After incubation with neuraminidase the kininogenin retained full enzymic activity and possessed an isoelectric point of pH7.2. The carbohydrate content has been decreased to 10% by weight, and the single component seen on electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate and 2-mercaptoethanol corresponded to a mol.wt. of 29500.     

Intraspecies variability in Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom related to its toxicity and immunogenic potential

Vipera ammodytes is the most venomous European snake, whose venom has been used as antigen for immunization of antivenom-producing animals. Same as venom of any other snake, it is a complex mixture of proteins, peptides and other compounds which biochemical and pharmacological variability has been demonstrated at interspecies and intraspecies level. In this work we demonstrated intraspecific variability between 8 venom production batches using both the conventional and the new methodology. Moreover, in contrast to the literature on different venoms' variability, for the first time we were able to select those biochemical differences that are related to and give information on the venom's toxicity and immunogenicity. We have shown that methods quantifying ammodytoxin (the most toxic compound identified so far in the Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom) content of the venom clearly distinguish between high and low immunogenic venoms.     

Ammodytoxin content of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom as a prognostic factor for venom immunogenicity

Venoms are complex mixtures of proteins, peptides and other compounds whose biochemical and biological variability has been clearly demonstrated. These molecules have been used as antigens for immunization of anti-venom-producing animals (horses or sheep). Ammodytoxins (Atx) are potently neurotoxic compounds, and the most toxic compounds isolated so far from the Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (Vaa) venom. Recently we have shown that the level of antibodies specific to Vaa venom's most toxic component, ammodytoxin A (AtxA), (anti-AtxA IgG) in Vaa venom immunized rabbit sera highly correlated to the venom toxicity–neutralization potential of these sera. Here we investigated whether Atx content of Vaa venom could influence the outcome of immunization procedure. The novel ELISA was developed for precise determination of Atx content and Atx was quantified in venom samples used for immunization of rabbits. We clearly showed that animals immunized with the venom containing lower amount of Atx produced sera with significantly lower venom toxicity–neutralizing power and, vice versa, animals immunized with venoms containing higher amount of Atx produced sera with higher venom toxicity–neutralizing ability. Thus, the content of Atx in Vaa venom is a relevant parameter of its suitability in the production of highly protective Vaa anti-venom.     

Comparative assay of Vipera ammodytes antivenom potency

The finding of the most appropriate way to assess precisely the antivenom efficacy represents one of the major issues for antivenom standardization and success increasing of antivenom therapy. The efficacy of experimental Vipera ammodytes antivenom raised in sheep was determined using in vivo mouse lethality test, respectively, L-aminoacid oxidase, total proteinase and phospholipase A₂ antienzymatic effectiveness. The values gained for the antivenom potency depend on the method of measure. So, some of the most toxic venom proteins own phospholipase A₂ activity and provide the highest antivenom potency (lowest effective dose) values by antienzymatic assay method. This value is similar with total antiproteolytic antivenom potency value, but almost three times higher than value obtained by L-aminoacid oxidase (low toxic viper venom protein) antienzymatic assay method.     

Dose dependent effects of standardized nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes) venom on parameters of cardiac function in isolated rat heart

Direct, dose dependent effects of the nose-horned vipers (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes) venom on various parameters of cardiac action in isolated rat hearts were examined. Biochemical (protein content, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and biological (minimum haemorrhagic and necrotizing dose and lethal dose (LD(50))) characterization of the venom was performed before testing. The hearts were infused with venom doses of 30, 90 and 150 microg/mL for 10 min followed by 30 min of wash out period. Left ventricular pressure, coronary flow, heart rate, atrioventricular conduction, myocardial oxygen consumption, incidence and duration of arrhythmias were measured and relative cardiac efficiency was calculated. Cardiac CPK, LDH, AST and troponin I were measured as biochemical markers of myocardial damage. The venom caused dose dependent electrophysiological instability and depression of contractility and coronary flow. Effects on the heart rate were biphasic; transient increase followed by significant slowing of the frequency. Relative cardiac efficiency decreased as oxygen consumption remained high relative to the heart rate-contractility product, indicating purposeless expenditure of oxygen and energy. Effects by the dose of 30 microg/mL were highly reversible while the dose of 90 mug/mL caused damages that were mostly irreversible. The dose of 150 mug/mL induced irreversible asystolic cardiac arrest.     

Amino acid and cDNA sequences of a neutral phospholipase A2 from the long-nosed viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes) venom.

The amino acid sequence of a non-toxic phospholipase A2, ammodytin I2, from the venom of the long-nosed viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes) and its cDNA sequence have been determined. The protein sequence was elucidated by sequencing the peptides generated by CNBr cleavage, mild acid hydrolysis and tryptic digestion of maleylated and non-maleylated protein. Sequencing of the cDNA showed that the protein is synthesized as an 137-amino-acid-residue precursor molecule consisting of a 16-residue signal peptide, followed by a 121-residue mature enzyme. Ammodytin I2 cDNA shows 73% nucleotide and 59% amino acid identities in the mature protein region in comparison to that of ammodytoxin A, the most presynaptically neurotoxic phospholipase A2 from the long-nosed viper. Identities in the signal-peptide region are considerably higher, 96% and 100%, respectively.     

The role of antibodies specific for toxic sPLA2s and haemorrhagins in neutralizing potential of antisera raised against Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom

The contribution of antibodies directed against the two main toxic groups of proteins in the Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom, haemorrhagic metalloproteinases (H) and neurotoxic sPLA2s (Atxs), to the overall protective efficacy of the whole venom antisera was investigated. Using ELISA assays we established a high correlation between the protective efficacy of the whole venom antisera in mice and their anti-Atxs antibody content. As the haemorrhage is the prevailing toxic effect of the venom in human, the lack of correlation also with anti-H IgG content exposed that the mouse model might not be optimal to evaluate the neutralizing potential of the venom-specific antisera for human therapy. We further revealed that Atxs and structurally very similar but non-toxic AtnI2 from the venom are not immuno cross-reactive.     

Comparative structural studies of two natural isoforms of ammodytoxin,phospholipases A2 from Vipera ammodytes ammodytes which differ in neurotoxicity and anticoagulant activity

Ammodytoxin A (AtxA) and its natural isoform AtxC from the venom of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes belong to group IIA-secreted phospholipases A₂ which catalyze the hydrolysis of glycerophospholipids and exhibit strong neurotoxic and anticoagulant effects. The two isoforms, which differ in sequence by only two amino acid residues (Phe124 > Ile and Lys128 > Glu), display significant differences in toxicity and anticoagulant properties and act on protein targets including neurotoxic proteic receptors and coagulation factor Xa with significantly different strengths of binding.In order to characterize the structural basis of these functional differences, we have determined the crystal structures of the two isoforms. Comparison of the structures shows that the mutation Lys128 > Glu in AtxC could perturb interactions with FXa, resulting in lower anticoagulant activity, since the side chain of Glu128 is partly buried, making a stabilizing hydrogen bond with the main-chain nitrogen atom of residue Thr35. This interaction leads to a displacement of the main polypeptide chain at positions 127 and 128 (identified by mutagenesis as important for interaction with FXa), and a different orientation of the side chain of unmutated Lys127. The mutation Phe124 > Ile in AtxC induces no significant conformational changes, suggesting that the differences in toxicity of the two isoforms are due essentially to differences in surface complementarity in the interaction of the toxin with the neurotoxic protein receptor. The crystal structures also reveal a novel dimeric quaternary association involving significant hydrophobic interactions between the N-terminal α-helices of two molecules of ammodytoxin related by crystallographic symmetry. Interactions at the dimer interface include important contributions from Met7, which is unique to ammodytoxin. Equilibrium sedimentation experiments are consistent with the crystallographic model.Competition experiments using SPR technology show complete inhibition of AtxA binding to FXa by calmodulin (CaM). The crystal structure shows that the C-terminal region, important for binding to FXa and CaM, is fully exposed and accessible for interaction with proteic receptors in both the monomeric and dimeric forms of ammodytoxin described here.     

Serine proteinase inhibitors from Vipera ammodytes venom. Isolation and kinetic studies

Three protein inhibitors of serine proteinases were isolated from the crude venom of the long-nosed viper Vipera ammodytes ammodytes by ion-exchange and gel chromatography. Two of them strongly inhibit trypsin (Ki = 3.4 X 10(-10) and 5.6 X 10(-10) M), while the third one primarily inhibits chymotrypsin (Ki = 4.3 X 10(-9) M). Their Mr values are close to 7000, and pI is 9.8 in both trypsin inhibitors and 10.0 in the chymotrypsin inhibitor. The N-terminal group in the former inhibitors is blocked; arginine is the N-terminal amino acid in the latter. Besides trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin, the trypsin inhibitors also inhibit plasmin, human plasma kallikrein and porcine pancreatic kallikrein. The chymotrypsin inhibitor inhibits trypsin and human plasma kallikrein only weakly and does not inhibit plasmin and porcine pancreatic kallikrein. According to their properties, all three inhibitors belong to the Kunitz-pancreatic trypsin inhibitor family of inhibitors.     

Study of the neurotoxic complex and its components from the venom of the Bulgarian sand viper Vipera ammodytes ammodytes: Interaction of the acidic component with cations

Addition of alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺) to the solution of isolated component A of the viper neurotoxic complex was found to pronouncedly change the protein fluorescence properties. The maximal effect takes place at the addition of potassium salts which induce the fluorescence spectral shift toward shorter wavelengths by 13.5 nm. This effect is dependent on the protein concentration and is evidence that alkali ions induce the oligomerization of component A. The oligomerization equilibrium constants are strongly dependent on both the concentration and the kind of alkali ions inducing it. The presence in the solution of Tris strongly inhibits the oligomerization. The process is temperature dependent and the oligomerization is maximal at 35–50 °C. An attempt was made to check the assumption that component A can increase the K⁺ permeability of phospholipid membranes (liposomes). The results confirmed qualitatively this assumption. Possible functional significance of these findings is discussed.