Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia

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  Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia Abstract Tarantulas play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by regulating insect populations. However, little is known about the soil preferences and burrow structures of tarantulas in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the soil preference as well as the burrow structure of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  and  Chilobrachys andersoni  from Penang Island. The soil characteristics of the soil samples collected around the burrows of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  (n = 30) and  Chilobrachys andersoni  (n = 30) were determined using soil texture analysis. The measurements and burrow structures from adults and juveniles of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  and  Chilobrachys andersoni  were determined. It was revealed that the moisture content and clay percentage in the soil samples around burrows of  Chilobrachys anderso...

Inhibition of proteolytic activity of Bothrops alternatus venom by two small molecules and docking analysis against a snake venom metalloproteinase

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Inhibition of proteolytic activity of Bothrops alternatus venom by two small molecules and docking analysis against a snake venom metalloproteinase

Abstract

The only effective treatment against snakebites is the administration of antivenom. Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) play a key role in the pathogenesis of envenomation. In this work, the ability of two molecules to inhibit the proteolytic activity of Bothrops alternatus venom and its PIII SVMP (baltergin) was studied: a dye (alizarin red S: Az) and a vitamin (L-ascorbic acid: AA). Neutralization of hemorrhage and docking analysis were also carried out. The inhibition of the proteolytic activity, showed the IC50 for Az (3.6 mM) was 52 times lower than for AA (188.2 mM). Az was not only able to inhibit casein degradation but also a milk protein compatible with beta-lactoglobulin, meanwhile AA was only capable of inhibit the degradation of casein. Both molecules were able to completely inhibit the action of baltergin on casein degradation. It was also observed that the antioxidant activity of Az increased, while the activity of AA decreased after exposition to visible radiation. As a result, Az induced an increase in its proteolytic inhibitory potential, although no significant changes were observed with AA. A partial neutralization of hemorrhage was observed, representing 46% of inhibition, only for Az at a venom:molecule ratio (m:m) of 1:4. It was demonstrated that Az interacts with PIII SVMPs through more bonds than with AA, which makes it fit better in the vicinity of the catalytic site. Natural (or synthetic) dyes open up a new range of possibilities for exploring alternatives for the complementary treatment of snakebites.
Echeverría, S. M., Blanco, G. C., Pereira, M. D. C. G., Maruñak, S. L., Ferreras, J. M., & Gay, C. C. (2025). Inhibition of proteolytic activity of Bothrops alternatus venom by two small molecules and docking analysis against a snake venom metalloproteinase. Biochimie. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2025.08.009