Biochemical and Functional Characterization ofParawixia bistriataSpider Venom with Potential Proteolytic and Larvicidal Activities

Abstract

Toxins purified from the venom of spiders have high potential to be studied pharmacologically and biochemically. These biomolecules may have biotechnological and therapeutic applications. This study aimed to evaluate the protein content of Parawixia bistriata venom and functionally characterize its proteins that have potential for biotechnological applications. The crude venom showed no phospholipase, hemorrhagic, or anti-Leishmania activities attesting to low genotoxicity and discrete antifungal activity for C. albicans. However the following activities were observed: anticoagulation, edema, myotoxicity and proteolysis on casein, azo-collagen, and fibrinogen. The chromatographic and electrophoretic profiles of the proteins revealed a predominance of acidic, neutral, and polar proteins, highlighting the presence of proteins with high molecular masses. Five fractions were collected using cation exchange chromatography, with the P4 fraction standing out as that of the highest purity. All fractions showed proteolytic activity. The crude venom and fractions P1, P2, and P3 showed larvicidal effects on A. aegypti. Fraction P4 showed the presence of a possible metalloprotease (60 kDa) that has high proteolytic activity on azo-collagen and was inhibited by EDTA. The results presented in this study demonstrate the presence of proteins in the venom of P. bistriata with potential for biotechnological applications.

Biotechnological Trends in Spider and Scorpion Antivenom Development

“…A similar inhibition of proteolytic activity on fibrinogen has also been observed in vitro for EDTA (concentration of 2 mM) and 1,10-phenanthroline (concentration of 3 mM) on Loxosceles intermedia (Brown spider) venom [134]. Finally, both EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, at a concentration of 5 mM each, have been shown to specifically inhibit metalloproteases isolated from Hippasa partita venoms [138], whilst EDTA (1 mM) alone has proven to block metalloproteases from Parawixia bistriata (Araneidae genus) [137]. …”

Moléculas biotivas do veneno da aranha migalomorfa <i>Avicularia juruensis</i>.

“…Elas inibem, ativam ou afetam estes canais e receptores, alterando o fluxo normal de íons e prejudicando o transporte de impulsos ao longo das células (Herzig, King, 2013;Nentwig, Kuhn-Nentwig, 2013). Essas moléculas podem também inibir o crescimento de bactérias e fungos, possuindo, assim, potencial uso terapêutico (Abreu, 2016;Ayroza et al, 2012;Gimenez et al, 2014;Yount, Yeaman, 2004).…”