Distribution of major toxins in Rhinella marina parotoid macroglands using Desorption-Electrospray-Ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI)

Pedro L Mailho-Fontana; Andreia M Porcari; Marcos N Eberlin; Carlos Jared; Marta Maria Antoniazzi; Daniel C Pimenta; Juliana M Sciani

doi:10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100033

Distribution of major toxins in Rhinella marina parotoid macroglands using Desorption-Electrospray-Ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI)

Toxicon X. 2020 Apr 28:6:100033. doi: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100033. eCollection 2020 Jun.

Authors

Pedro L Mailho-Fontana¹, Andreia M Porcari², Marcos N Eberlin³, Carlos Jared¹, Marta Maria Antoniazzi¹, Daniel C Pimenta⁴, Juliana M Sciani²

Affiliations

¹ Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
² Universidade São Francisco, Av. São Francisco de Assis 218, 12916-900, Bragança Paulista, Brazil.
³ Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Rua da Consolação 930, 01302-907, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁴ Laboratório de Biofísica e Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract

Amphibian cutaneous glands secrete toxins used in different vital functions including passive defense. Through Desorption Electrospray Ionization-Imaging we analyzed the distribution of the major toxins of the toad Rhinella marina parotoid macroglands. Alkaloids and steroids showed characteristic distribution and intensity within the glands and were also present at lower levels on the skin surface. A comprehensive overview of toxins distribution in toads' skin might help to understand their full biological role within the amphibians.

Keywords: Alkaloids; DESI-MSI; Imaging; Parotoid; Rhinella marina; Skin glands; Steroids.