Minor snake venom proteins: Structure, function and potential applications

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta. General subjects 2017-04, Vol.1861 (4), p.824-838
• Main Authors: Boldrini-França, Johara, Cologna, Camila Takeno, Pucca, Manuela Berto, Bordon, Karla de Castro Figueiredo, Amorim, Fernanda Gobbi, Anjolette, Fernando Antonio Pino, Cordeiro, Francielle Almeida, Wiezel, Gisele Adriano, Cerni, Felipe Augusto, Pinheiro-Junior, Ernesto Lopes, Shibao, Priscila Yumi Tanaka, Ferreira, Isabela Gobbo, de Oliveira, Isadora Sousa, Cardoso, Iara Aimê, Arantes, Eliane Candiani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Drug discovery; Proteins - chemistry; Proteins - metabolism; Snake venoms; Snake Venoms - chemistry; Snake Venoms - metabolism; Toxins; Toxins, Biological - chemistry; Toxins, Biological - metabolism
• ISSN: 0304-4165; 1872-8006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.12.022

Snake venoms present a great diversity of pharmacologically active compounds that may be applied as research and biotechnological tools, as well as in drug development and diagnostic tests for certain diseases. The most abundant toxins have been extensively studied in the last decades and some of them have already been used for different purposes. Nevertheless, most of the minor snake venom protein classes remain poorly explored, even presenting potential application in diverse areas. The main difficulty in studying these proteins lies on the impossibility of obtaining sufficient amounts of them for a comprehensive investigation. The advent of more sensitive techniques in the last few years allowed the discovery of new venom components and the in-depth study of some already known minor proteins. This review summarizes information regarding some structural and functional aspects of low abundant snake venom proteins classes, such as growth factors, hyaluronidases, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, nucleases and nucleotidases, cobra venom factors, vespryns, protease inhibitors, antimicrobial peptides, among others. Some potential applications of these molecules are discussed herein in order to encourage researchers to explore the full venom repertoire and to discover new molecules or applications for the already known venom components. •Minor snake venom protein classes and their potential applications are still poorly studied;•Understanding snake venoms diversity is important for drug discovery and to comprehend the pathophysiology of snake bites.•Minor snake venom proteins may provide important information on evolutionary processes that generated snake venom repertories.