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Major Articles • Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. 50 (03) • May-Jun 2017 • https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0408-2016   copy

Biological and molecular properties of yellow venom of the Amazonian coral snake Micrurus surinamensis

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The coral snake Micrurus surinamensis, which is widely distributed throughout Amazonia, has a neurotoxic venom. It is important to characterize the biological and molecular properties of this venom in order to develop effective antitoxins.

METHODS:

Toxins from the venom of M. surinamensis were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their neurotoxic effects in vivo were evaluated.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:

Most proteins in the venom had masses < 14kDa, low phospholipase A2 activity, and no proteolytic activity. The toxins inhibited the coagulation cascade. The venom had neurotoxic effects in mice, with a median lethal dose upon intravenous administration of 700 µg/kg. Immunogenic studies revealed abundant cross-reactivity of antielapidic serum with 14kDa toxins and limited cross-reactivity with toxins < 10kDa. These results indicate that antielapidic serum against M. surinamensis venom has weak potency (0.35mg/ml) in mice.

Keywords:
Micrurus surinamensis; Neurotoxins; Phospholipase A2; Biological activities

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