title: Effects of the myotoxic Lys49 phospholipase A2 from Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus snake venom on water transport in the toad bladder epithelium: evidence for a role of microtubules and calmodulin.
abstract: ACLMT is a myotoxic Lys49 phospholipase A2 isolated from the venom of the snake Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus. We have previously demonstrated that ACLMT affects the water transport in toad bladders through a mechanism partially mediated by an increase in the cytosolic calcium. This study aims to further investigate the sites and mechanisms involved in the effects of ACLMT on water transport in toad bladders by examining the role of microtubules and calmodulin. Water flow across the membrane was gravimetrically measured in bladder sac preparations. ACLMT increased basal water transport and inhibited water transport stimulated by vasopressin. Colchicine and trifluoperazine reduced the effect of the toxin on basal water transport and enhanced it on vasopressin-stimulated water transport. The results suggest that both microtubules and calmodulin may be involved in the effect of ACLMT on basal water transport. On the other hand, the effect of the toxin on vasopressin-stimulated water transport appears to be neither dependent on the microtubules integrity nor directly mediated by calmodulin. This study provides a deeper understanding of the effects of the Lys49 PLA2 myotoxins on membrane permeability, thus contributing to elucidate the toxicity mechanism of these myotoxins on biological tissues.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, Km 235, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil. rennerleite@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Selistre-de-Araujo
mesh_terms: D017836:Agkistrodon; D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000494:pharmacology; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D002024:Bufo marinus; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000633:toxicity*; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D014268:Trifluoperazine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002147:Calmodulin; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014757:Viper Venoms; D014867:Water; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D014268:Trifluoperazine; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D003078:Colchicine