Proteomic and functional characterization of the venom of two species of snakes of the genus Bothrops submitted to diet change

Abstract

Snake venoms are the most studied animal toxins. Its composition is complex, being composed mainly by proteins, which correspond to approximately 90% of its dry weight. Snake venom proteins are subject to Darwinian evolution and the variation in venom composition is observed at different taxonomic levels. Studies consistently demonstrate that there are large variations in the composition of venoms among different snake species and even within the same species. These differences may be due to varied factors, including gender, age, geographical distribution and diet. The variation in venom composition due to diet may be related to the specialization of the snake on different prey species. However, the relationship between diet and venom composition and activity is still controversial. In a previous study developed by our group, adult Bothrops moojeni individuals kept in the Herpetology Laboratory of the Butantan Institute had their diet changed from mammals (mice or rats), the standard diet used for the maintenance of the snakes in captivity, to amphibians (Lithobates catesbeianus). The results of this work, not published yet, showed a high intraspecific variation in the composition of the venom among the individuals and also a functional variation in the biological activities after the change of diet. Since Bothrops moojeni is a generalist species, which feeds on different prey categories, it is important to compare the plasticity of its venom to a specialist species, which feeds on only one type of prey throughout its life, as the species Bothrops alternatus. Therefore, the objective of this work is to investigate the influence of diet on the composition and biochemical and biological activities of Bothrops moojeni and Bothrops alternatus venoms.