Study of the venom proteome of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (Linnaeus, 1758): A qualitative overview, biochemical and biological profiling

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part D, Genomics & proteomics Genomics & proteomics, 2021-03, Vol.37, p.100776, Article 100776
• Main Authors: Gopcevic, Kristina, Karadzic, Ivanka, Izrael-Zivkovic, Lidija, Medic, Ana, Isakovic, Aleksandra, Popović, Marjan, Kekic, Dusan, Stanojkovic, Tatjana, Hozic, Amela, Cindric, Mario
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological activity; Enzymatic components; Nonenzymatic components; Shotgun proteomics; Vipera ammodytes ammodytes
• ISSN: 1744-117X; 1878-0407
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2020.100776

Vipera ammodytes (Va), is the European venomous snake of the greatest medical importance. We analyzed whole venom proteome of the subspecies V. ammodytes ammodytes (Vaa) from Serbia for the first time using the shotgun proteomics approach and identified 99 proteins belonging to four enzymatic families: serine protease (SVSPs), L-amino acid oxidase (LAAOs), metalloproteinases (SVMPs), group II phospholipase (PLA2s), and five nonenzymatic families: cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), C-type lectins (snaclecs), growth factors -nerve (NGFs) and vascular endothelium (VEGFs), and Kunitz-type protease inhibitors (SPIs). Considerable enzymatic activity of LAAO, SVSPs, and SVMPs and a high acidic PLA2 activity was measured implying potential of Vaa to produce haemotoxic, myotoxic, neuro and cardiotoxic effects. Moreover, significant antimicrobial activity of Vaa venom against Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) was found. The crude venom shows considerable potential cytotoxic activity on the C6 and HL60 and a moderate level of potency on B16 cell lines. HeLa cells showed the same sensitivity, while DU 145 and PC-3 are less sensitive than as normal cell line. Our data demonstrated a high complexity of Vaa and considerable enzymatic, antibacterial and cytotoxic activity, implying a great medical potential of Vaa venom as a promising source for new antibacterial and cytostatic agents. [Display omitted] •Whole proteome of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom was analyzed by shot gun proteomic approach.•Ninety-nine proteins belonging to nine classes protein families were identified.•Considerable enzyme, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities were obtained.•This venom can be considered as a promising source for new antibacterial and cytostatic agents.