Scales of biodiversity: integrated studies of snake evolution and venom function

Abstract

Proteolytic enzymes and phospholipases are key components in the venom of snakes, especially in viperids. They are involved in the capture and digestion of prey acting on several targets important for the control of hemostasis and also contribute to the digestion of tissues. In this project, we will evaluate the activities of phospholipases, serine proteinases and metalloproteinases in the venom samples of all the individuals collected in the 120 species included in the project, correlating these data with the phylogenetic analyzes in progress by the other groups. The venoms highly expressing these enzymes will be selected and tested for their digestive properties of the tissues of mammalian prey, lizards and arthropods and will be used for pharmacological approaches to identify disorders of the hemostatic system that they induce and their main mechanisms of action. These data will be fundamental for a better understanding of the relevance of the functional characteristics of the venom components to the snake speciation and evolution process. (AU)