A new scenario of bioprospecting of Hymenoptera venoms through proteomic approach

Santos LD (1), Pieroni M (2), Menegasso ARS (3), Pinto JRAS (3), Palma MS (3)

(1) Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, São Paulo State, Brazil; (3) Center of Study of Social Insects, Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Rio Claro, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Abstract: Venoms represent a huge and essentially unexplored reservoir of bioactive components that may cure diseases that do not respond to currently available therapies. This review select advances reported in the literature from 2000 to the present about the new scenario of Hymenoptera venom composition. On account of new technologies in the proteomic approach, which presents high resolution and sensitivity, the combination of developments in new instruments, fragmentation methods, strategic analysis, and mass spectrometry have become indispensable tools for interrogation of protein expression, molecule interaction, and post- translational modifications. Thus, the biochemical characterization of Hymenoptera venom has become a major subject of research in the area of allergy and immunology, in which proteomics has been an excellent alternative to assist the development of more specific extracts for diagnosis and treatment of hypersensitive patients to Hymenoptera venoms.

Key words: hymenoptera, venoms, allergens, phospholipase A1, wasp venom antigen 5, hyaluronoglucosaminidase, mass spectrometry, proteomics.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are thankful to FAPESP, CNPq and CAPES for providing financial support.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: January 12, 2011.

Accepted: April 18, 2011.

Abstract published online: April 26, 2011.

Full paper published online: November 30, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

This work was supported by BIOprospecTA/FAPESP program (process number 06/57122-7), INCT/CNPq and CAPES.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

LUCILENE DELAZARI DOS SANTOS, CEVAP-UNESP, Caixa Postal 577, Fazenda Experimental Lageado, Rua José Barbosa de Barros, 1780, 18610-307, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. Phone: +55 3814 5446. Email: lucilene@cevap.org.br.