Identification and characterization of a new member of snake venom thrombin inhibitors from Bothrops insularis using a proteomic approach
Research article published in Toxicon (2007)
Abstract
Snake venom C-type lectin-like proteins (CLPs) are ubiquitously found in Viperidae snake venoms and differ from the C-type lectins as they display different biological activities but no carbohydrate-binding activity. Previous analysis of the transcriptome obtained from the Bothrops insularis venom gland showed the presence of two clusters homologous to bothrojaracin (BJC) chains alpha and beta. In an effort to identify a new BJC-like molecule, we used an approach associated with proteomic technologies to identify the presence of the expressed protein and then to purify and characterize a new thrombin inhibitor from B. insularis venom. We also constructed homology models of this protein and BJC, which were compared with other C-type lectin-like family members and revealed several conserved features of this intriguing snake venom toxin family.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Identification and characterization of a new member of snake venom thrombin inhibitors from Bothrops insularis using a proteomic approach.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This study used a proteomic approach to identify and characterize a new thrombin inhibitor from Bothrops insularis snake venom, identified as a C-type lectin-like protein homologous to bothrojaracin. Researchers successfully purified the expressed protein and constructed molecular homology models to compare its structural features with other intriguing snake venom toxins. Although the research centers on isolating a thrombin inhibitor—a functional class that conceptually parallels the leech secretome's anticoagulant properties like hirudin—the molecule is entirely derived from snake venom. As a result, the study presents no leech-related data and possesses no direct relevance to clinical hirudotherapy.
Citación
Identification and characterization of a new member of snake venom thrombin inhibitors from Bothrops insularis using a proteomic approach
Oliveira-Carvalho AL et al. · Toxicon, 2007
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026