We report the detailed molecular characterization of two PLA
2s, Lys49 and Asp49 isolated from
Bothrops leucurus venom, and examined their effects against
Dengue virus (DENV). The
Bl-PLA
2s, named
BlK-PLA
2 and
BlD-PLA
2, are composed
[...] Read more.
We report the detailed molecular characterization of two PLA
2s, Lys49 and Asp49 isolated from
Bothrops leucurus venom, and examined their effects against
Dengue virus (DENV). The
Bl-PLA
2s, named
BlK-PLA
2 and
BlD-PLA
2, are composed of 121 and 122 amino acids determined by automated sequencing of the native proteins and peptides produced by digestion with trypsin. They contain fourteen cysteines with p
Is of 9.05 and 8.18 for
BlK- and
BlD-PLA
2s, and show a high degree of sequence similarity to homologous snake venom PLA
2s, but may display different biological effects. Molecular masses of 13,689.220 (Lys49) and 13,978.386 (Asp49) were determined by mass spectrometry. DENV
causes a prevalent arboviral disease in humans, and no clinically approved antiviral therapy is currently available to treat DENV infections. The maximum non-toxic concentration of the proteins to LLC-MK2 cells determined by MTT assay was 40 µg/mL for
Bl-PLA
2s (pool) and 20 µg/mL for each isoform. Antiviral effects of
Bl-PLA
2s were assessed by quantitative Real-Time PCR.
Bl-PLA
2s were able to reduce DENV-1, DENV-2, and DENV-3 serotypes in LLC-MK2 cells infection. Our data provide further insight into the structural properties and their antiviral activity against DENV, opening up possibilities for biotechnological applications of these
Bl-PLA
2s as tools of research.
Full article