SHOT-GUN PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS OF VENOM FROM SOCIAL WASPS

Santos, L.D, Santos, K.S., Mendes, M.A., Souza, B.M. & Palma, M.S.

Dept. Biology / LBSZ -CEIS / IBRC - UNESP - Rio Claro, SP, Brazil;

It is known that social wasps are responsible by 30% of the stinging accidents caused by Hymenoptera in Southeast Brazil. Approximately, 12% of Brazilian population are allergic to wasps venoms and 4% are hypersensitive. Currently, only 4 or 5 endemic species of Brazilian wasps have been subject of toxinological investigations. Despite of several proteins are usually found in the venoms of social wasps, the most of them are unknown. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to identify, at least the most abundant proteins in venom of the social wasp Polybiapaulista, by using a proteomic approach. Proteins were separated by using 2D-SDS-PAGE with immobilized pH gradients (IPG) from 3 to 10 in the first dimension. After the second dimension the gel was CBB stained and the spots were processed with the software Image Master. The selected spots were excised and submitted to tryptic digestion, followed by peptide mass fingerprint in a MALDI-ToF/MS instrument. This procedure permitted the individual protein identification. In addition to the classical venom toxins, such as PLA2, Hyaluronidases, Acid and Alkaline Phosphatases, some other proteins have been also identified: Zinc Finger Protein–Like, Chemotaxis Protein, Proteases and Hemolysins. These strikes will be useful to enlarge the current knowledge about the composition of the Hymenopteram venons, improving the understanding about the role of these toxins during the envenomation.

Financial Support: FAPESP (CAT-CEPID); Institute of Immunological Investigations (Millennium Institute-MCT/CNPq); FINEP.

Correspondence to:  keityss@yahoo.com.br