Article
Inhibition of the Hemorrhagic and Proteolytic Activities of Lansberg’s Hognose Pit Viper (Porthidium lansbergii hutmanni ) Venom by Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) Serum: Isolation of Didelphis Marsupialis 0.15Dm Fraction on DEAE-Cellulose Chromatography
Autor
Pineda, Maria E
Girón, Maria E
Estrella, Amalid
Sánchez, Elda E
Aguilar, Irma
Fernandez, Irma
Vargas, Alba M
Scannone, Héctor
Rodríguez-Acosta, Alexis
Institución
Resumen
Earlier studies have revealed the ability of sera from several mammals to neutralize the
toxic effects of snake venom. The Venezuelan opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) is one
that has been found to inhibit hemorrhagic and proteolytic activities of venoms from
many species of snakes. In this article it is shown that the opossum sera and its 0.15DM
fraction were able to completely neutralize both hemorrhagic and hydrolysis (proteolysis)
of casein effects induced by venom of the Lansberg’s hognose pit viper (Porthidium lansbergii
hutmanni). We have used DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography to collect
protein fractions from D. marsupialis sera which were able to defend mice from the
lethal effects of P.l. hutmanni venom. The fractions separated were homogeneous by conventional
electrophoresis using SDS-PAGE. The protein bands obtained contained
molecular weights of ˜ 6 to 220 kDa. These results revealed the presence of proteases
inhibitors in the opossum sera fractions and the inhibition of venom activity by opossum sera suggesting a reciprocal adaptation at the molecular level. Financial support was obtained from the Science and Technology Fund
(FONACIT) programs (PG-2005000400; PG-2002000447) and CDCH de la
Central University of Venezuela grants (PG-093453722003; PI-09-00-6712-2007),
Caracas, Venezuela.