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Elucidating the Venom Diversity in Sri Lankan Spectacled Cobra (<i>Naja naja</i>) through <i>De Novo</i> Venom Gland Transcriptomics, Venom Proteomics and Toxicity Neutralization
oleh: Kin Ying Wong, Kae Yi Tan, Nget Hong Tan, Christeine Ariaranee Gnanathasan, Choo Hock Tan
Format: | Article |
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Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2021-08-01 |
Deskripsi
Inadequate effectiveness of Indian antivenoms in treating envenomation caused by the Spectacled Cobra/Indian Cobra (<i>Naja naja</i>) in Sri Lanka has been attributed to geographical variations in the venom composition. This study investigated the <i>de novo</i> venom-gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics of the Sri Lankan <i>N. naja</i> (NN-SL) to elucidate its toxin gene diversity and venom variability. The neutralization efficacy of a commonly used Indian antivenom product in Sri Lanka was examined against the lethality induced by NN-SL venom in mice. The transcriptomic study revealed high expression of 22 toxin genes families in NN-SL, constituting 46.55% of total transcript abundance. Three-finger toxins (3FTX) were the most diversely and abundantly expressed (87.54% of toxin gene expression), consistent with the dominance of 3FTX in the venom proteome (72.19% of total venom proteins). The 3FTX were predominantly S-type cytotoxins/cardiotoxins (CTX) and α-neurotoxins of long-chain or short-chain subtypes (α-NTX). CTX and α-NTX are implicated in local tissue necrosis and fatal neuromuscular paralysis, respectively, in envenomation caused by NN-SL. Intra-species variations in the toxin gene sequences and expression levels were apparent between NN-SL and other geographical specimens of <i>N. naja</i>, suggesting potential antigenic diversity that impacts antivenom effectiveness. This was demonstrated by limited potency (0.74 mg venom/ml antivenom) of the Indian polyvalent antivenom (VPAV) in neutralizing the NN-SL venom. A pan-regional antivenom with improved efficacy to treat <i>N. naja</i> envenomation is needed.