The article listed below details some of the research being on
the Venezuelan mapanare, or Bothrops
columbiensis. Specifically, this research group was running experiments to
identify the different compounds in snake venom. The Venezuelan mapanare is a common
snake that is responsible for 70% of snake bites in Venezuela. The proteome of
the venom has been identified in other research, but due to the high density of
proteins in venom glands it is hard to identify and research each protein using
standard methods. In particular, the group pointed out that proteome research
may miss proteins that are expressed in extremely low quantities. During this
research the venom glands of the snake were used to make a transcriptome, or
list of all the DNA that is currently being transcribed into RNA in a cell
group. The cells making up the venom gland should have mRNA for each protein in
the venom, allowing researchers to identify proteins differently than the
methods used to make a proteome.
When constructing the transcriptome, the research group identified
expressed sequence tags (ESTs). These are the mRNA products from the cDNA being
translated into mRNA. The transcriptome identified 729 unique sequences. Of
these 47.2% matched known snake toxins, 22% were regular products found in most
cells, 11.9% were identified as proteins with unknown functions, 18.9% did not
match anything in GenBank. These
sequences will likely be the subject of further research.
The results from this analysis can be used for a variety of
things. The mapanare venom can be better compared to other snakes, and the
evolutionary history of different snakes can be elucidated with the
information. Better antibodies can be made since the venom is more fully
understood. There is also some research being done to isolate specific proteins
that can be used in medicine for a variety of things. Different proteins can
coagulate or thin blood. Some proteins can cause specific inflammatory responses
that may also have some use in trauma medicine.
What do you think about this research? Let me know below. http://bmcmolbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12867-016-0059-7
Gene expression profiling of the venom gland from the Venezuelan mapanare (Bothrops colombiensis) using expressed sequence tags (ESTs)
By: Montamas Suntravat, Néstor L. Uzcategui, Chairat Atphaisit, Thomas J. Helmke, Sara E. Lucena, Elda E. Sánchez1 and Alexis Rodríguez Acosta
The evolution of venomous snakes is so interesting. From what I understand it is believe that the injection system arose separately from the venom itself! I think this research is extremely promising. Snake bites are huge scare, especially in areas with little medical availability. It is also interesting the research developed a new way to identify these proteins! This continued improvement of detection only makes cures/treatments that much more reachable!
ReplyDeleteThis may sound weird, but it's always to exciting to me when things are identified as unknown. That gives researchers so many options for how to study the unknown and potentially discover something extraordinary. Maybe some of the proteins with unknown functions can be sequenced and their function can be studied. We could also try to find homologs in humans to even see if the function is the same and maybe even develop better antidotes.
ReplyDeleteIt will be great to know the sequences used by snakes to make their venom. This could allow for antivenom be better produced due to knowing how these snakes make their venom.
ReplyDeleteYikes. 47% of 729 protein is 343known toxic proteins in the venom. No wonder we still use horse serum for antivenins.
ReplyDelete