TOXINOLOGY STUDIES IN AMAZONAS STATE- BRAZIL: STATE OF ART AND FUTURE

LOPEZ-LOZANO, J.L. (1,2), MUNIZ, E. G. (2), NORONHA, M.D.N. (1,2)

(1) Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia e Recursos Naturais - Universidade do Estado do Amazonas- UEA; (2) Centro de Ofidismo Prof. Paulo Friedrich Bürnheim / FMTAM.

Clinical and epidemiological data of human accident snake bite was the first toxinological study in Amazonas state, showing that B. atrox is the main snake specie in human accidents but other snake species with very low incidence. Histological effects produced by Lachesis muta venom in mice was studied using electronic microscopy. Latrodectus curacaviensis spider was detected in urban areas of Manaus city but no high human accidents were reported. Potency of Brazilian equine serum antivenoms against biological activities from Bothrops, Crotalus and Lachesis venoms were studied in mice and this experiment showed that are necessary more human clinical evidences to new equine serum against venoms from Amazonian snakes species. Proteomics studies about molecular composition from Bothrops, Bothriopsis, Crotalus, Lachesis and Micrurus venoms and structural analyses of venom toxins and ontogenetic changes of biological activities and molecular composition in B. atrox venom were studied. Clinical studies using lyophilezed polyvalent and plants extracts against B. atrox and C. d. ruruima venoms in mice are in course. Actually are starting studies about molecular composition and biological activities from amphibian, scorpions, spiders, wasp and insect larvae toxins, B. atrox venom gland transcriptome and toxin inhibitors in plasma from Amazonian snake species. Strictu sensu pos-graduation in Biotechnology and Natural Resources together genomic and proteomic technological platforms available in Genomic and Proteomic Amazonas Networks have a high impact to development of toxinology studies in Amazonas State.  Biotechnological applications of toxins as anti-insect, antimicrobial, enzymes, immune response modulators and inhibitors of tumor metalloproteinases are in course.

KEY WORDS: Amazonia, toxins, biotechnology.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: FAPEAM, FINEP, FMTAM.

CORREPONDENSE TO: J. LUIS LÓPEZ-LOZANO, Centro de Ofidismo Prof. Paulo Friedrich Bürnheim, Fundação de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas, Manaus, Brasil. Phone: + 55 92 3238 4294. E-mail: luisiam@hotmail.com