title: Pseudechis australis venomics: adaptation for a defense against microbial pathogens and recruitment of body transferrin.
abstract: The venom composition of Pseudechis australis, a widely distributed in Australia reptile, was analyzed by 2-DE and mass spectrometric analysis. In total, 102 protein spots were identified as venom toxins. The gel is dominated by horizontal trains of spots with identical or very similar molecular masses but differing in the pI values. This suggests possible post-translational modifications of toxins, changing their electrostatic charge. The results demonstrate a highly specialized biosynthesis of toxins destroying the hemostasis (P-III metalloproteases, SVMPs), antimicrobial proteins (L-amino acid oxidases, LAAOs, and transferrin-like proteins, TFLPs), and myotoxins (phospholipase A(2)s, PLA(2)s). The three transferrin isoforms of the Australian P. australis (Elapidae snake) venom are highly homologous to the body transferrin of the African Lamprophis fuliginosus (Colubridae), an indication for the recruitment of body transferrin. The venomic composition suggests an adaptation for a defense against microbial pathogens from the prey. Transferrins have not previously been reported as components of elapid or other snake venoms. Ecto-5'-nucleotidases (5'-NTDs), nerve growth factors (VNGFs), and a serine proteinase inhibitor (SPI) were also identified. The venom composition and enzymatic activities explain the clinical manifestation of the king brown snakebite. The results can be used for medical, scientific, and biotechnological purposes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Laboratory of Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, Build. 22a, 22603 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dessislava
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Georgieva
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Öhler
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: von Bergen
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Raghuvir K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Arni
authors.forename: Nicolay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Genov
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Betzel
mesh_terms: D015720:5'-Nucleotidase / Q000032:analysis; D000220:Adaptation, Biological / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000737:chemistry*; D017815:Elapidae; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004546:Elapid Venoms; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; C026235:Pseudechis venom; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D014168:Transferrin; D015720:5'-Nucleotidase