Mojave rattlesnake Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus venom: variation in toxicity with geographical origin

Glenn, James L.; Straight, Richard C.

doi:10.1016/0041-0101(78)90065-x

Cited by 130 publications

(47 citation statements)

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“…The variation of venom composition with geography is an important aspect of this intraspecific variability. Several species of medical importance belonging to Viperidae and Elapidae families produce different clinical symptoms across the geographical range of their distribution [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. The causes of this variability remain unclear [6], [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reappraisal of Vipera aspis Venom Neurotoxicity

et al. 2007

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BackgroundThe variation of venom composition with geography is an important aspect of intraspecific variability in the Vipera genus, although causes of this variability remain unclear. The diversity of snake venom is important both for our understanding of venomous snake evolution and for the preparation of relevant antivenoms to treat envenomations. A geographic intraspecific variation in snake venom composition was recently reported for Vipera aspis aspis venom in France. Since 1992, cases of human envenomation after Vipera aspis aspis bites in south-east France involving unexpected neurological signs were regularly reported. The presence of genes encoding PLA2 neurotoxins in the Vaa snake genome led us to investigate any neurological symptom associated with snake bites in other regions of France and in neighboring countries. In parallel, we used several approaches to characterize the venom PLA2 composition of the snakes captured in the same areas.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe conducted an epidemiological survey of snake bites in various regions of France. In parallel, we carried out the analysis of the genes and the transcripts encoding venom PLA2s. We used SELDI technology to study the diversity of PLA2 in various venom samples. Neurological signs (mainly cranial nerve disturbances) were reported after snake bites in three regions of France: Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Genomes of Vipera aspis snakes from south-east France were shown to contain ammodytoxin isoforms never described in the genome of Vipera aspis from other French regions. Surprisingly, transcripts encoding venom neurotoxic PLA2s were found in snakes of Massif Central region. Accordingly, SELDI analysis of PLA2 venom composition confirmed the existence of population of neurotoxic Vipera aspis snakes in the west part of the Massif Central mountains.Conclusions/SignificanceThe association of epidemiological studies to genetic, biochemical and immunochemical analyses of snake venoms allowed a good evaluation of the potential neurotoxicity of snake bites. A correlation was found between the expression of neurological symptoms in humans and the intensity of the cross-reaction of venoms with anti-ammodytoxin antibodies, which is correlated with the level of neurotoxin (vaspin and/or ammodytoxin) expression in the venom. The origin of the two recently identified neurotoxic snake populations is discussed according to venom PLA2 genome and transcriptome data.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reappraisal of Vipera aspis Venom Neurotoxicity

et al. 2007

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“…Variation in this characteristic is known in other rattlesnake species (e.g., Glenn and Straight, 1978, 1985a,b, 1990Gutierrez et al, 1991) and similar analyses in these other taxa may help to elucidate the causes and correlates of the ability to secrete this highly toxic venom component. This issue is also of the utmost importance with respect to improving the treatment of snake bite.…”

Section: Evolution Of Venom Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical Biogeography of the Western Rattlesnake (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalus viridis), Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Information

Pook

Wüster

Thorpe

2000

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

107

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“…Mojave toxin is a neurotoxic venom component found in some C. scutulatus (Glenn and Straight, 1978;Glenn et al, 1983;Rael et al, 1984;Wilkinson et al, 1991). The expression of Mojave toxin in C. scutulatus in the United States has been shown to vary geographically.…”

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confidence: 94%

“…The expression of Mojave toxin in C. scutulatus in the United States has been shown to vary geographically. For example, various authors have identified populations of C. scutulatus in central Arizona that do not express Mojave toxin (Glenn and Straight, 1978;Glenn et al, 1983;Wilkinson et al, 1991). Mojave toxin is a presynaptically acting neurotoxin (Gopalakrishnakone et al, 1980) that is composed of two peptides (Aird et al, 1985;Zepeda et al, 1985), a nontoxic acidic subunit (subunit A) and a phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) basic subunit (subunit B), which is mildly toxic (Cate and Bieber, 1978).…”

mentioning

confidence: 95%