Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies

Identification of a cytotoxic peptide from the spider Enoploctenus cyclothorax venom on leukemia cell lineages

This study identifies a cytotoxic polypeptide from spider venom that shows significant in vitro cytotoxicity against leukemia cell lines.

Venom-inspired somatostatin receptor 4 (SSTR4) agonists as new drug leads for peripheral pain conditions

This study identifies venom-derived SSTR4 agonists as potential non-opioid therapeutics for peripheral pain conditions.

Functional analyses and integrated mechanisms of cellular destruction by L-amino acid oxidase

This study investigates how LAAO causes cellular destruction by disrupting multiple organelles, leading to energy failure and cell death.

Tandem duplication of serpin genes yields functional variation and snake venom inhibitors.

The paper studies gene duplication in SERPINA genes across vertebrates and shows that duplicated paralogs in rodents can inhibit snake venom proteases, suggesting adaptive functional variation.

Structural similarities reveal an expansive conotoxin family with a two-finger toxin fold

The paper uses structural bioinformatics to identify a new conotoxin family with a two-finger toxin fold, revealing evolutionary relationships among rapidly evolving genes.

Phylogenetic Diversity and Venom Gland Transcriptomics of Palauan Cone Snails (Conidae)

The paper uses mitochondrial sequencing and venom-gland transcriptomics to study phylogenetic relationships and venom gene diversity in Palauan cone snails.

Species-specific, multifaceted venom resistance in Monodelphis domestica reveals novel physiological behavior of von Willebrand Factor under flow.

This study investigates venom resistance in Monodelphis domestica, finding it resists venom-induced coagulation disruption and has unique von Willebrand Factor behavior under flow.

Novel Calcin peptides from Scorpion Venom Exhibit Humidity-Dependent Expression and Ryanodine Receptor Activation

The paper identifies two novel calcins from scorpion venom that show humidity-dependent expression and activate ryanodine receptors, highlighting environmental influences on venom composition.

Unveiling the evolutionary history of European vipers and their venoms from a multi-omic approach

This study uses multi-omic data to uncover the evolutionary history and venom evolution in European vipers, revealing adaptive introgression and chromosomal rearrangements.

Transcriptomic assessment of the Black Judaicus scorpion (Hottentotta judaicus) toxin arsenal and its potential bioeconomic value

This study uses transcriptomics to analyze the toxin composition of Hottentotta judaicus scorpion venom, identifying potential health risks and bioresource value.

Loss of a major venom toxin gene in a Western Diamondback rattlesnake population

The paper investigates the loss of a major venom toxin gene, MPO1, in Western Diamondback rattlesnakes, finding it correlates with geographic distribution and is caused by inactivating mutations.

Inhibition of Chikungunya virus nsP2 protease in vitro by pantinin-1 isolated from scorpion venom

This study evaluates pantinin-1, a scorpion venom peptide, as an inhibitor of CHIKV nsP2 protease, showing effective inhibition with low micromolar affinity and no toxicity.

Snake venom metalloproteinases are predominantly responsible for the cytotoxic effects of certain African viper venoms

This study identifies snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) as the main cytotoxic agents in two African viper venoms and shows EDTA can inhibit their effects.

Structural and functional characterisation of isolated puff adder (B. arietans) serine proteases

The paper characterizes two distinct serine protease groups in puff adder venom, revealing novel gelatinase activity and structural insights into their substrate specificity and functional roles.

A robust platform for recombinant production of animal venom toxin modulators of ion channels

This paper develops a method to produce animal venom toxins using recombinant Fc-fusion proteins, achieving high yields and functionality for various toxin types.

Discovery and Development of DC-174 as a Novel Oral Snakebite Treatment

This paper develops DC-174, an oral small molecule that inhibits snake venom metalloproteinases and shows efficacy in a mouse model of envenoming.

Venomous Maggots? A first exploration of the toxin arsenal of larval stages of the horse fly Tabanus autumnalis

This study identifies peptide toxins in the venom of horse fly larvae, suggesting they play a key role in prey incapacitation, with some similarities to adult venom components.

A drug combinational therapy consisting of toxin phospholipase A2 and metalloproteinase inhibitors provides preclinical protection against North American Crotalid snakebite envenoming

This study evaluates drug combinations to treat snakebite envenoming, finding that combining SVMP and PLA2 inhibitors provides broad protection against lethal effects.

Redistribution of ancestral functions underlies the evolution of venom production in marine predatory snails

This study investigates how venom glands in marine snails evolved by redistributing ancestral digestive functions to other organs and modulating secretory machinery.

A genome-guided atlas to the composition, activity, and β-bungarotoxin dimerization in many-banded krait venom inferred by functional venomics

This paper presents a genome-guided functional venomics analysis of many-banded krait venom, revealing its composition, activity, and β-bungarotoxin dimerization patterns.

Low extent of sex-based venom variation in Earth's most widespread viper, the common adder (Vipera berus)

The paper investigates sex-based venom variation in the common adder, finding minimal differences in venom profiles and bioactivity between sexes.

Discerning Specific Thrombolytic Activities and Blood Clot Degradomes of Diverse Snake Venoms with Untargeted Peptidomics

This study uses untargeted peptidomics and thrombolysis assays to analyze the clot-degrading effects of six snake venoms, revealing specific targets and mechanisms of thrombolysis.

Convergent evolutionary adaption of spider venom from predation to defense

This study characterizes the venom of yellow-sac spiders to show convergent evolution of defensive venom components across spider lineages.

Establishing a preclinical chronic wound model to characterise the pathophysiology of snakebite envenoming

This study develops a preclinical chronic wound model using snake venoms to characterize venom-induced wound pathophysiology and identify unique features.

Chromosome-level reference genome for the medically important Arabian horned viper (Cerastes gasperettii)

This study presents a chromosome-level reference genome for the Arabian horned viper, revealing insights into venom gene evolution and population history.

Molecular Display of the Animal Meta-Venome for Discovery of Novel Therapeutic Peptides

The paper develops a computational method to design diverse venom libraries and discovers peptides targeting the human itch receptor MRGPRX4.

Intraspecific venom variation in the medically important puff adder (Bitis arietans): comparative venom gland transcriptomics, in vitro venom activity and immunological recognition by antivenom

This study compares venom variation in Bitis arietans across three regions using transcriptomics, chromatography, and functional assays, finding substantial toxin variation but no major impact on antivenom efficacy.

A murine experimental model of the unique pulmonary thrombotic effect induced by the venom of the snake Bothrops lanceolatus

This paper develops a mouse model of thrombosis induced by Bothrops lanceolatus venom, showing juvenile venom causes more pulmonary thrombi despite similar proteomes to adult venom.

Complex compositional and functional diversity of venom metalloproteinases in African puff adders

This study characterizes the diversity and bioactivity of venom metalloproteases in puff adders, identifying distinct forms with varying enzymatic activities and proposing a new nomenclature for the dominant SVMPs.

Comparative venom analysis between melanistic and normally-colored phenotypes of the common adder (Vipera berus)

This study compares venom profiles and activities between melanistic and normally-colored common adders, finding minor differences that are not clinically significant.