Structural characterization and neuromuscular activity of a new Lys49 phospholipase A(2) homologous (Bp-12) isolated from Bothrops pauloensis snake venom.
Bp-12 was isolated from Bothrops pauloensis snake venom in only one chromatographic step in reverse phase HPLC on micro-Bondapack C-18. The molecular mass of 13,789.56 Da was determined by mass spectrometry. The amino acids composition showed that Bp-12 presented high content of Lys, Tyr, Gly, Pro, and 14 half-Cys residues, typical of a basic PLA(2). The sequence of Bp-12 contains 122 amino acid residues: SLFELGKMIL QETGKNPAKS LGAFYCYCGW GSQGQPKDAV DRCCYVHKCC YKKITGCNPK KDRYSYSWKD KTLVCGEDNS CLKELCECDK AVAICLRENL NTYNKKYRYF LKPLCKKADA AC, with a pI value of 8.55 and with a high homology with Lys49 PLA(2) from other snake venoms. In mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm, the time needed for 50% paralysis was: 45 +/- 6 min (1.4 microM) and 16 +/- 6 min (3.6 microM). Bp-12 can induce indirect and directly blocked evoked twitches, even in the preparations in which Ca(2+) is replaced by Sr(2+), being the addition of d-tubocurarine required for direct blocking. These results identify Bp-12 as a new member of the Lys49 PLA(2) family and shows that this toxin might contribute to the effects of the crude venom on the neuromuscular junction.
Randazzo-Moura
Priscila
P
Pharmacology Department, Medical Science Faculty, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Ponce-Soto
L A
LA
Rodrigues-Simioni
Léa
L
Marangoni
Sérgio
S