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April 24th, 2025
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Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME)
molecular biology
biorxiv

A genome-guided atlas to the composition, activity, and β-bungarotoxin dimerization in many-banded krait venom inferred by functional venomics

Uhrig, L.Open in Google Scholar•Avella, I.Open in Google Scholar•Schulte, L.Open in Google Scholar•Hurka, S.Open in Google Scholar•Dersch, L.Open in Google Scholar•Eichberg, J.Open in Google Scholar•Schiffmann, S.Open in Google Scholar•Henke, M.Open in Google Scholar•Kuch, U.Open in Google Scholar•Cabrera-Orefice, A.Open in Google Scholaret al.

Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease claiming ~140,000 lives every year. One of the most medically relevant snakes of Asia is the many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus). Approximately 8% of the global human population is at risk of being envenomated by this species, able to cause fatal neurotoxicity. Here, we present a proteogenomic and functional assessment of the B. multicinctus venom via genome-guided bottom-up and top-down proteomics, combined with traditional protein profiling and bioassays. We report its venom profile alongside the primary structures of its toxins, revealing a relatively simple venom containing 55 components from 16 protein families. It is largely composed by three-finger toxins and phospholipase A2, besides acetylcholinesterase and snake venom metalloprotease. Top-down data unveiled the diversity of the highly lethal {beta}-bungarotoxins and allowed us to infer the complex dimerization patterning of these multi-domain neurotoxins. Our functional analysis revealed that B. multicinctus venom exerts potent phospholipase A2 and acetylcholinesterase activities, but protease activity as well as effects on cell viability and release of second messengers were virtually absent. This suggests, that B. multicinctus venom causes its devastating neurotoxic symptoms due to a heavy reliance on phospholipase A2 and acetylcholinesterase, but without impairing viability of neurons nor via interference of second messenger release. Antibacterial and antiviral screens further revealed activity against some pathogenic microbes that warrant further translational investigations. A comparison to previously published venom proteomes of B. multicinctus and its congeners suggests, that intraspecific venom variation occurs more widely in kraits than previously acknowledged and deserves higher attention. Overall, our investigation provides pivotal new insights into the biochemistry and pathophysiology of one of earths most lethal snakes and represents an important resource to inform future proteogenomic and functional studies in krait venom and beyond.

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