Strategies in ‘snake venomics’ aiming at an integrative view of compositional, functional, and immunological characteristics of venoms

Abstract This work offers a general overview on the evolving strategies for the proteomic analysis of snake venoms, and discusses how these may be combined through diverse experimental approaches with the goal of achieving a more comprehensive knowledge on the compositional, toxic, and immunological...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
Main Authors: Bruno Lomonte, Juan J. Calvete
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: SciELO 2017
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40409-017-0117-8
https://doaj.org/article/a2526dd3f63b408c9eacf16cfb52b45e
Description
Summary:Abstract This work offers a general overview on the evolving strategies for the proteomic analysis of snake venoms, and discusses how these may be combined through diverse experimental approaches with the goal of achieving a more comprehensive knowledge on the compositional, toxic, and immunological characteristics of venoms. Some recent developments in this field are summarized, highlighting how strategies have evolved from the mere cataloguing of venom components (proteomics/venomics), to a broader exploration of their immunological (antivenomics) and functional (toxicovenomics) characteristics. Altogether, the combination of these complementary strategies is helping to build a wider, more integrative view of the life-threatening protein cocktails produced by venomous snakes, responsible for thousands of deaths every year.