Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies

The genomic origins and evolutionary path to a key innovation in the world's most venomous snakes

This study traces the genomic origins of four procoagulant venom toxins in Australian snakes and identifies a fifth toxin, showing two distinct evolutionary paths for their development.

Ontogenetic variation in composition and bioactivity of common adder (Vipera berus) venom revealed by genome-guided proteomics and in vitro functional assays

This study reveals age-related changes in the composition and bioactivity of Vipera berus venom, linking ontogenetic dietary shifts to venom phenotype and function.

The metalloproteinase inhibitor Marimastat improves skeletal muscle regeneration when administered intravenously after myonecrosis induced by the venom of Bothrops asper

This study shows that Marimastat improves skeletal muscle regeneration and reduces fibrosis in mice after myonecrosis caused by Bothrops asper venom.

From Neuropeptides to Toxins: Illuminating the Origins of Venom Complexity in Cone Snails

The paper identifies how neuropeptide genes in cone snails evolved into toxins through mechanisms like exon shuffling and transposable element-driven recombination, revealing dynamic genome-molecular innovation interactions.

Divergent venoms among two closely related co-distributed centipede species, Scolopendra morsitans and S. hardwickei in tropical Asia

This study compares venom composition between two closely related centipede species in peninsular India, finding significant differences in toxin abundance and protein repertoires.

Natures Antivenom: Combinations of conserved rattlesnake serum metalloproteinase inhibitors block the lethal action of viper venoms

This study shows that combinations of rattlesnake metalloproteinase inhibitors can neutralize viper venom lethality more effectively than commercial antivenoms.

Repurposed small molecule toxin inhibitors neutralise a diversity of venoms from the Neotropical viperid snake genus Bothrops

This study evaluates repurposed drugs against venoms from the Bothrops snake genus, finding that metalloproteinase inhibitors effectively neutralize multiple venom effects.

Targeting Bothrops asper Venom Enzymes: Steroidal Derivatives as potential Inhibitors of Phospholipase A2, Serine proteinases, and metalloproteinases.

This study evaluates three ergosterol-derived compounds as inhibitors of key enzymes in Bothrops asper venom, showing dose-dependent inhibition of coagulant and phospholipase A2 activities.

Purified Zymogens Reveal Mechanisms of Snake Venom Metalloproteinase Auto-Activation

The paper develops a method to produce and activate purified snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) using recombinant zymogens, enabling detailed biochemical and functional analysis.

Antigenic Divergence of Cobra Short-chain α-Neurotoxins: Implications for Regional Antivenom Effectiveness in Southeast Asia

This study evaluates antivenom effectiveness against cobra short-chain α-neurotoxins (SNTXs) and identifies antigenic subtypes linked to regional antivenom performance in Southeast Asia.

Conkazal-M1 from the MKAVA family of conotoxins - a dual-function protease inhibitor and neuroactive peptide

This study characterizes conkazal-M1, a conotoxin from Conus magus, showing it acts as both a protease inhibitor and a neuroactive peptide.

Microbiota discovered in scorpion venom

This study uses 16S rRNA sequencing to investigate bacterial presence in scorpion venom, finding microbial communities that differ between two scorpion species from distinct geographic regions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Validation of a colorimetric LAMP to detect Loxosceles experimental envenomation

This paper validates a colorimetric LAMP assay for detecting Loxosceles envenomation, showing high sensitivity and specificity compared to PCR.

Specificity of Loxosceles α clade phospholipase D enzymes for choline-containing lipids: role of a conserved aromatic cage

The paper investigates the role of an aromatic cage in the lipid specificity of Loxosceles α clade phospholipase D enzymes using molecular dynamics simulations and experimental validation.

GENETIC BASES OF APOSEMATIC TRAITS: INSIGHTS FROM THE SKIN TRANSCRIPTIONAL PROFILES OF Oophaga POISON FROGS

The paper characterizes the skin transcriptomic profiles of Oophaga poison frogs to understand the genetic basis of their aposematic traits and chemical defenses.

Comparative analyses of toxin-associated gene homologs from an Old World viper, Daboia russelii.

The paper compares toxin-associated gene homologs in Daboia russelii using whole-genome sequencing data from skin exuviate, identifying unique sequence motifs and structural residues across venom domains.