Comparative venomics of Brazilian coral snakes: Micrurus frontalis, Micrurus spixii spixii, and Micrurus surinamensis

Abstract

A comparative venom proteomic analysis of the Brazilian southern coral snake, M. frontalis, the Amazon coral snake M. spixii spixii, and the aquatic coral snake M. surinamensis is reported. Venoms from M. frontalis and M. s. spixii were composed mainly (>90% of the total venom proteome) by 3FTxs and PLA₂s in different proportions, and minor proteins from 2 to 5 protein families. Conversely, the aquatic coral snake expressed a streamlined (95%) 3FTx venom with low abundance (4.2%) of PLA₂ molecules. A compositional-lethal activity for natural prey correlation analysis suggests that M. surinamensis venom may has evolved under strong pressure to quickly immobilize aquatic prey. On the other hand, venoms from M. frontalis and M. s. spixii, whose diet consist mainly of amphisbaenians and colubrid snakes, may have been shaped through balancing selection. Our work provides strong evidence for the occurrence in M. frontalis venom, but not in those from M. s. spixi and M. surinamensis, of a KUN-PLA₂ complex homologue to heterodimeric venom toxins from some long-tailed monadal coral snakes that target acid-sensing receptors ASIC1a/2 evoking pain. The M. frontalis protein would represent the first example of a KUN-PLA₂ heterodimer in a South American short-tailed triadal coral snake venom.

Keywords: 3FTx/PLA2 dichotomy; Amazon coral snake; Aquatic coral snake; Brazilian coral snakes; Brazilian southern coral snake; Genus Micrurus; Micrurus frontalis; Micrurus spixii spixii; Micrurus surinamensis; Snake venom; Venomics.