Electrospray liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry fingerprinting of Acanthophis (death adder) venoms: taxonomic and toxinological implications

• Published in: Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry
• Main Authors: Fry, B. G., Wickramaratna, J. C., Hodgson, W. C., Alewood, P. F., Kini, R. M., Ho, H., Wuster, W.
• Other Authors: Bowie, John
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: John Wiley & sons 2002
• Subjects: Chemistry; Analytical; Spectroscopy; Papua-new-guinea; Snake-venom; Mass-spectrometry; Elapid Snakes; Antarcticus; Praelongus; Bite; Purification; Inhibitors; Australia; 250300 Organic Chemistry; 270000 Biological Sciences; C1; 780103 Chemical sciences; 780105 Biological sciences; Antarc*; antarcticus
• Online Access: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:63026

Death adders (genus Acanthophis) are unique among elapid snakes in both morphology and venom composition. Despite this genus being among the most divergent of all elapids, the venom has been historically regarded as relatively quite simple. In this study, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis has revealed a. much greater diversity in venom composition, including the presence of molecules of novel molecular weights that may represent a new class of venom component. Furthermore, significant variation exists between species and populations,, which allow for the LC/MS fingerprinting of each species. Mass profiling of Acanthophis venoms clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of this technique which underpins fundamental studies ranging from chemotaxonomy to drug design. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.