Chemical modifications of PhTX-I myotoxin from Porthidium hyoprora snake venom: effects on structural, enzymatic, and pharmacological properties

Biomed Res Int. 2013:2013:103494. doi: 10.1155/2013/103494. Epub 2012 Dec 19.

Abstract

We recently described the isolation of a basic PLA2 (PhTX-I) from Porthidium hyoprora snake venom. This toxin exhibits high catalytic activity, induces in vivo myotoxicity, moderates footpad edema, and causes in vitro neuromuscular blockade. Here, we describe the chemical modifications of specific amino acid residues (His, Tyr, Lys, and Trp), performed in PhTX-I, to study their effects on the structural, enzymatic, and pharmacological properties of this myotoxin. After chemical treatment, a single His, 4 Tyr, 7 Lys, and one Trp residues were modified. The secondary structure of the protein remained unchanged as measured by circular dichroism; however other results indicated the critical role played by Lys and Tyr residues in myotoxic, neurotoxic activities and mainly in the cytotoxicity displayed by PhTX-I. His residue and therefore catalytic activity of PhTX-I are relevant for edematogenic, neurotoxic, and myotoxic effects, but not for its cytotoxic activity. This dissociation observed between enzymatic activity and some pharmacological effects suggests that other molecular regions distinct from the catalytic site may also play a role in the toxic activities exerted by this myotoxin. Our observations supported the hypothesis that both the catalytic sites as the hypothetical pharmacological sites are relevant to the pharmacological profile of PhTX-I.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Cell Line
  • Group II Phospholipases A2 / chemistry*
  • Group II Phospholipases A2 / toxicity
  • Mice
  • Neurotoxins / chemistry*
  • Neurotoxins / toxicity
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Reptilian Proteins / chemistry*
  • Reptilian Proteins / toxicity
  • Snake Venoms / chemistry*
  • Snake Venoms / toxicity

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Neurotoxins
  • Reptilian Proteins
  • Snake Venoms
  • Group II Phospholipases A2