Proteomic tools against the neglected pathology of snake bite envenoming

Abstract

This article covers the application of proteomic tools (‘venomics’, ‘antivenomics’ and ‘venom phenotyping’) to study the composition and natural history of snake venoms, and the cross-reactivity of antivenoms with homologous and heterologous venoms, to help address the neglected pathology of snake bite envenoming. The identification of evolutionary and immunological trends may help to replace the traditional geographic- and phylogenetic-driven hypotheses for antivenom production strategies with a more rational approach based on proteome phenotype and immunological profile similarities. Antivenomics and venom phenotyping may also contribute to expand the clinical range of currently existing antidotes.

Keywords::

• antivenom
• antivenomics
• mass spectrometry
• neglected pathology
• snake bite
• snake venomics
• toxin
• venom protein family

Acknowledgements

The author gratefully thanks the many colleagues (particularly from the Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Costa Rica) who, over the years, have provided, and continue to provide, precious venoms and antivenoms within the framework of collaborative projects and have contributed insights and suggestions through many stimulating discussions. Having landed in the toxinology field with a general biochemical and protein chemistry/proteomic background, the young but fruitful collaboration between laboratories from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean has enriched my biological horizon and opened my mind towards the opportunity of applying omics-technologies to fight the neglected pathology of envenomation.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Funding for the projects described in this paper was provided by grants BFU2007-61563 and BFU2010-17373 from the Ministerios de Educación y Ciencia and Ciencia é Innovación, Madrid, Spain; CRUSA-CSIC (2007CR0004 and 2009CR0021); and CYTED (206AC0281). Travelling between Spain and Costa Rica was financed by Acciones Integradas 2006CR0010 between CSIC and the University of Costa Rica. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.