Project description:Pathological and inflammatory events in muscle after injection of snake venoms vary in different regions of the affected tissue and at different time intervals. In order to study such heterogeneity in the immune cell microenvironment, a murine model of muscle necrosis based on the injection of the venom of Daboia russelii was used.
Project description:In this study, to unravel the influence of phylogenetic divergence and biogeography in shaping the composition and activity of Daboia venoms, we comparatively investigated the venoms of D. russelii from western India and D. palaestinae from Israel.
Project description:Among the medically most important snakes in the world, the species belonging to the genus Daboia have been attributed to the highest number of human envenomings, deaths and disabilities. Given their significant clinical relevance, the venoms of Russell's vipers (D. russelii and D. siamensis) have been the primary focus of research. In contrast, the composition, activity, ecology and evolution of venom of its congener, the Palestine viper (D. palaestinae), have remained largely understudied. Therefore, to unravel the factors responsible for the enhanced medical relevance of D. russelii in comparison to D. palaestinae, we comparatively evaluated their venom proteomes, biochemical activities, and mortality and morbidity inflicting potentials. Furthermore, the synthesis and regulation of venom in snakes have also remained underinvestigated, and the relative contribution of each venom gland remains unclear. We address this knowledge gap by sequencing the tissue transcriptomes of both venom glands of D. palaestinae, and comparatively evaluating their contribution to the secreted venom concoction. Our findings highlight the disparity in the venom composition, function and toxicities of the two Daboia species. We also show that toxin production is not partitioned between the two venom glands of D. palaestinae.
Project description:Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) (RV), a category I medically important snake as well as a member of the “Big Four”, is responsible for a heavy toll of snake bite mortality and morbidity in Indian sub-continent. Epidemiological studies suggest highest incidence of RV envenomation in eastern India (EI). In this study the RV venom proteomes from Burdwan and Nadia, the two districts of West Bengal, eastern India was deciphered for the first time using tandem mass spectrometry analysis.
