Mass spectrometry in snake venom research
Adrijana Leonardi
Abstract
Mass spectrometry allows rapid and reliable identification and characterisation
of proteins and peptides in snake venoms. With the increasing availability
of transcriptomic and genomic data, there is a growing database of protein sequences
that is essential for protein identification. Snake venoms are analysed using a
multi-
dimensional proteomic approach known as ‚venomics‘. Proteins are first separated by
one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis or reversed-phase liquid chromatography.
The individual protein spots or fractions are digested enzymatically and the resulting
peptides are analysed by mass spectrometry. The proteins are identified by comparing
the mass spectra of the peptides with those in the database. High-performance mass
spectrometers allow the analysis of venoms even without prior separation of the protein
mixture. We have analysed the protein composition (proteome) of two European snake
venoms of greatest medical interest, the nose-horned viper (
Vipera a. ammodytes
) and
the common adder (
Vipera b. berus
). The nose-horned viper is the most venomous
European snake. Although its bite is rarely fatal, a human wictim often needs to be
observed in hospital and treated with an antivenom. The adder is the most widespread
European venomous snake and its bite causes milder symptoms than the bite of the
nose-horned viper in most cases. To explain the observed differences in the effects of the
two venoms at the molecular level, a proteomic study was performed. We also analysed
the proteome of the venom of the meadow viper (
Vipera ursinii
), the most threatened
snake species in Europe. It does not pose a threat to humans. In the wild, it feeds mainly
on insects, while in captivity it is fed on mice. A comparison of the proteome of the
venom of snakes in the wild and snakes in captivity showed clear differences. Thus,
the composition of snake venom is diet-dependent. Mass spectrometry is also a very
useful tool in the characterisation of antivenoms (antivenomics) to determine their
specificity and neutralising power.
Keywords
antivenomics, common adder, mass spectrometry, meadow viper, nose-horned viper, proteomics, snake venom, venomics,
Vipera s. ammodytes
,
Vipera b. berus
, (
Vipera ursinii
) |