Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand

Venom ontogenetic profile and bioprospecting potential of the three-finger toxins of the Naja kaouthia snake

Grant number: 24/02642-4
Support Opportunities:Regular Research Grants
Duration: August 01, 2024 - July 31, 2026
Field of knowledge:Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
Principal Investigator:Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo
Grantee:Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo
Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
Associated researchers:Aparecida Sadae Tanaka ; Caroline TOKARSKI ; Kathleen Fernandes Grego ; Patrícia Léo ; Sávio Stefanini Sant Anna ; Tiago Fleming de Oliveira Outeiro

Abstract

Snake envenomation was reintroduced as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017 and represents a serious public health problem for tropical and subtropical regions of developing countries. Naja kaoutia is a snake considered category 1 of medical importance by the WHO. Its venom has a prominent neurotoxic effect due to the two main protein families present in this venom: the three-finger toxins (3FTx) and the phospholipases A2. The lethality of N. kaouthia venom is mainly associated with 3FTx, which are poorly recognized by current snake antivenoms due to their low immunogenicity. There is an increase in cases of accidents with N. kaouthia due to the breeding of exotic snakes, leading to the problem of there being no specific antivenoms for these species in hospital units. Snake venom presents considerable heterogeneity that may be a function of the factors that led to molecular evolution. Variations in the composition of the venom of snakes of the same species can be determined according to genetics, diet, gender, geographic distribution, age or even seasonality. It is worth mentioning that snake venom is considered a valuable source for the bioprospecting of molecules with therapeutic potential, therefore, components of these venoms are widely studied for biotechnological applications, mainly in the pharmaceutical area. Therefore, the objective of this work is the biochemical investigation of the venoms of young and adult snakes of the species N. kaouthia in order to analyze the variations in the biochemical composition, biological and immunoenzymatic activities of the toxins present in their venom. In addition, a bioprospecting study will be carried out on cytotoxins from the 3FTx family with biotechnological potential. (AU)

Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant:
More itemsLess items
Articles published in other media outlets ( ):
More itemsLess items
VEICULO: TITULO (DATA)
VEICULO: TITULO (DATA)

Please report errors in scientific publications list using this form.
X

Report errors in this page


Error details: