title: Snake Venom Cytotoxins, Phospholipase A2s, and Zn2+-dependent Metalloproteinases: Mechanisms of Action and Pharmacological Relevance.
abstract: Snake venom toxins are responsible for causing severe pathology and toxicity following envenomation including necrosis, apoptosis, neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, profuse hemorrhage, and disruption of blood homeostasis. Clinically, snake venom toxins therefore represent a significant hazard to snakebite victims which underscores the need to produce more efficient anti-venom. Some snake venom toxins, however, have great potential as drugs for treating human diseases. In this review, we discuss the biochemistry, structure/function, and pathology induced by snake venom toxins on human tissue. We provide a broad overview of cobra venom cytotoxins, catalytically active and inactive phospholipase A2s (PLA2s), and Zn2+-dependent metalloproteinases. We also propose biomedical applications whereby snake venom toxins can be employed for treating human diseases. Cobra venom cytotoxins, for example, may be utilized as anti-cancer agents since they are efficient at destroying certain types of cancer cells including leukemia. Additionally, increasing our understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) by which snake venom PLA2s promote hydrolysis of cell membrane phospholipids can give insight into the underlying biomedical implications for treating autoimmune disorders that are caused by dysregulated endogenous PLA2activity. Lastly, we provide an exhaustive overview of snake venom Zn2+-dependent metalloproteinases and suggest ways by which these enzymes can be engineered for treating deep vein thrombosis and neurodegenerative disorders.
authors.affiliation: Applied Mathematics and Informatics Department, Moscow State University Branch, 22 A. Timur Avenue, Tashkent 100060, Uzbekistan ; Science Department, Tashkent Ulugbek International School, 5-A J. Shoshiy Street, Tashkent 100100, Uzbekistan.
authors.forename: Sardar E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gasanov
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Department, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia St., Reno, NV 89557, USA.
authors.forename: Ruben K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Dagda
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
authors.forename: Eppie D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Rael