Stonefish Venom: Some Biochemical and Chemical Observations

Austin, L.; Gillis, RG; Youatt, G.

doi:10.1038/icb.1965.6

Cited by 47 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…150,000 was first partially purified from the venom of S. horrida by Austin et al (7). Subsequent to this, Deakins and Saunders (8) obtained a partially purified (10-fold) lethal factor from the same species.…”

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confidence: 99%

Stonustoxin Is a Novel Lethal Factor from Stonefish (Synanceja horrida) Venom

Ghadessy¹,

Chen

Kini

et al. 1996

Journal of Biological Chemistry

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Stonustoxin (SNTX) is a multifunctional lethal protein isolated from venom elaborated by the stonefish, Synanceja horrida. It comprises two subunits, termed ␣ and ␤, which have respective molecular masses of 71 and 79 kDa. SNTX elicits an array of biological responses both in vitro and in vivo, particularly a potent hypotension that appears to be mediated by the nitric oxide pathway. As a prelude to structure-function studies, we have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones encoding the ␣-and ␤-subunits of SNTX from a venom gland cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of neither subunit shows significant homology with any known protein. Protein sequence alignment does, however, show the subunits to be 50% homologous to each other and implies that they may have arisen from a common ancestor. The subunits of this novel toxin lack typical N-terminal signal sequences commonly found in proteins that are secreted via the endoplasmic reticulumGolgi apparatus pathway, indicating the possibility of its being secreted by a non-classical pathway, which is not clearly understood. The SNTX subunits have been expressed in Escherichia coli as cleavable fusion proteins that cross-react with antibodies raised against the native toxin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first complete sequence of a fish-derived protein toxin to be reported.Stonefish are regarded as the most dangerous venomous fish in the world (1). Envenomation mediated by their venom apparatus elicits an array of symptoms, including an instantaneous and sharp pain at the site of the puncture wound, edema, hypotension, respiratory distress, convulsions, and death within 6 h (2-4). As with venoms produced by other organisms, stonefish venom is a mixture of enzymes and non-enzymatic proteins. Enzymatic activities detected in stonefish venom include hyaluronidase, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, 5Ј-nucleotidase, arginine amidase, arginine esterase, and proteinase activities (5). The hyaluronidase component from the venom of the stonefish Synanceja horrida has been purified (6). A proteinaceous lethal factor with a molecular weight of around 150,000 was first partially purified from the venom of S. horrida by Austin et al. (7). Subsequent to this, Deakins and Saunders (8) obtained a partially purified (10-fold) lethal factor from the same species. No further studies on this lethal protein were reported for the next 2 decades.Recently, we purified a lethal toxin from the venom of S. horrida, indigenous to the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific oceans and designated it stonustoxin (SNTX) 1 (9). This toxin has a molecular weight of 148,000 and comprises two subunits, termed ␣ (71 kDa) and ␤ (79 kDa). It was found to be devoid of phospholipase A 2 , proteinase, and hyaluronidase activities, and had an LD 50 (intravenous) of 17 ng/g (9). Lethal factors have also been isolated from the venoms of other species of stonefish that display comparable biological activities. These include a 158-kDa cytolysin with lethal properties purified from the venom of Synanceja trach...

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Stonustoxin Is a Novel Lethal Factor from Stonefish (Synanceja horrida) Venom

Ghadessy¹,

Chen

Kini

et al. 1996

Journal of Biological Chemistry

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“…The stonefish toxin was isolated and characterized by a research group in Singapore in 1996 [5]. However, from the initial report on the stonefish toxin in 1965 [6], three decades passed before it was fully characterized. The toxin, stonustoxin (SNTX, 148 kDa), was isolated from the stonefish species Synanceia horrida and is comprised of two subunits termed a (71 kDa, 702 amino acid residues) and b (79 kDa, 699 amino acid residues) ( Fig.…”

Section: Protein Toxins Of Fishmentioning

confidence: 98%

Marine Protein Toxins

Nagai¹

2012

Handbook of Marine Natural Products

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“…The injected venom then increases capillary permeability, inducing severe edema of the affected limb. The lethal portion of the venom is a highly hypotensive agent with myotoxic and neurotoxic components (84). Systemic effects may present as muscle weakness, syncope, dyspnea, headaches, and hallucinations (81).…”

Section: Venomous Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%