A comparative characterization by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of the south american rattlesnake venom; Crotalus durissus terrificus, Crotalus durissus collilineatus, Crotalus durissus ruruima, and Crotalus durissus cumanensis sub-species.

Diz Filho, E.B.S., Ponce-Soto, L.A., Fagundes F.H.R., Bonfim, V.L., Damico, D.C.S., and Marangoni. S.

Department of Biochemistry Institute of Biology UNICAMP – Brazil. 

A comparative molecular mass profile characterization by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) of the fractions presents in the venoms of south american rattlesnake venom; Crotalus durissus terrificus, Crotalus durissus collilineatus, Crotalus durissus ruruima, and Crotalus durissus cumanensis sub-species were analyzed in order to establish geographical characterization correlations. South American rattlesnake venom were obtained from Kentucky Reptile Zoo Natural Bridge State Park, Slade, Kentucky, USA. MALDI-TOF-MS were performed using a Voyager-DE PRO MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (Applied) 1mL of the sample matrix-solution, 2 mL. of whole venom in a-ciano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (a-CHBA) or sinapinic acid and their mass analized under the following conditions: accelerate voltage 25kV, laser fixed in 2890 mJ/com2, delay 300 nsec and in linear analysis mode and spectra were detected and obtained in positive. These results revealed strong profile similarities in molecular mass ranging 10-80 kDa spectra region in all sub-species studied. However, the comparative molecular mass MALDI-TOF-MS profile of the south american rattlesnake venoms fractions from Crotalus durissus terrificus, Crotalus durissus collilineatus, Crotalus durissus ruruima, and Crotalus durissus cumanensis sub-species studied showed a low molecular mass, 4-6 kDa region suggesting that this spectra region investigated could be by used as sub-species specific and geographical characterization finger print probably by crotamine presence or not.

Financial Support: CAPESand FAPESP

Correspondence to: bridiz@hotmail.com