Identification of two novel cytolysins from the hydrozoan Olindias sambaquiensis (Cnidaria)

Although the hydrozoan Olindias sambaquiensis is the most common jellyfish associated with human envenomation in southeastern and southern Brazil, information about the composition of its venom is rare. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze pharmacological aspects of O. sambaquiensis venom as well as clinical manifestations observed in affected patients. Crude protein extracts were prepared from the tentacles of animals; peptides and proteins were sequenced and submitted to circular dichroism spectroscopy. Creatine kinase, cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity were evaluated by specific methods.

Identification of two novel cytolysins from the hydrozoan Olindias sambaquiensis (Cnidaria)

Although the hydrozoan Olindias sambaquiensis is the most common jellyfish associated with human envenomation in southeastern and southern Brazil, information about the composition of its venom is rare. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze pharmacological aspects of O. sambaquiensis venom as well as clinical manifestations observed in affected patients. Crude protein extracts were prepared from the tentacles of animals; peptides and proteins were sequenced and submitted to circular dichroism spectroscopy. Creatine kinase, cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity were evaluated by specific methods.

Haemorrhagic proteolytic and neurotoxi activities produced by duvernoy's gland secretion from the false coral snake (erythrolamprus bizona jan 1863)(serpentes: colubridae)

Muchas serpientes Colubridae producen secreciones orales tóxicas. En este trabajo se ha estudiado el veneno de la secreción de la glándula de Duvernoy colectado de especies opistoglifas (colmillos posteriores) de Colubridae Venezolanas. Se corrieron electroforesis de poliacrilamida al 20 por ciento (SDS-PAGE), a fin de separar y caracterizar las proteínas presentes en la secreción de la glándula de Duvernoy de la falsa coral Erythrolamprus bizona. El veneno mostró actividad proteolítica (gelatinasa). Para purificar parcialmente esta última actividad, se empleó una columna Mono Q (Bio-Rad, USA) de cromatografía de intercambio iónico. Para probar la actividad hemorrágica, de esta secreción de Duvernoy, se utilizaron embriones de pollo, piel y peritoneo de ratones, donde se demostró fuerte actividad hemorrágica. Al observar los síntomas neurológicos en ratones, ocasionados por la secreción de Duvernoy de E. bizona, se pudo constatar la intensa actividad neurotóxica de este veneno. En conclusión, la secreción de la glándula de Duvernoy de E. bizona mostró tener actividades proteolíticas, neurotóxicas y hemorrágicas