Collagen binding is a key factor for the hemorrhagic activity of snake venom metalloproteinases

Biochimie. 2008 Mar;90(3):484-92. doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2007.11.009. Epub 2007 Dec 4.

Abstract

Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) are multifunctional enzymes involved in several symptoms following snakebite, such as severe local hemorrhage. Multidomain P-III SVMPs are strongly hemorrhagic, whereas single domain P-I SVMPs are not. This indicates that disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains allocate motifs that enable catalytic degradation of ECM components leading to disruption of capillary vessels. Interestingly, some P-III SVMPs are completely devoid of hemorrhagic activity despite their highly conserved disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains. This observation was approached in the present study by comparing the effects of jararhagin, a hemorrhagic P-III SVMP, and berythractivase, a pro-coagulant and non-hemorrhagic P-III SVMP. Both toxins inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, but only jararhagin was able to bind to collagen I with high affinity. The monoclonal antibody MAJar 3, that neutralizes the hemorrhagic effect of Bothrops venoms and jararhagin binding to collagen, did not react with berythractivase. The three-dimensional structures of jararhagin and berythractivase were compared to explain the differential binding to collagen and MAJar 3. Thereby, we pinpointed a motif within the Da disintegrin subdomain located opposite to the catalytic domain. Jararhagin binds to both collagen I and IV in a triple helix-dependent manner and inhibited in vitro fibrillogenesis. The jararhagin-collagen complex retained the catalytic activity of the toxin as observed by hydrolysis of fibrin. Thus, we suggest that binding of hemorrhagic SVMPs to collagens I and IV occurs through a motif located in the Da subdomain. This allows accumulation of toxin molecules at the site of injection, close to capillary vessels, where their catalytic activity leads to a local hemorrhage. Toxins devoid of this motif would be more available for vascular internalization leading to systemic pro-coagulant effects. This reveals a novel function of the disintegrin domain in hemorrhage formation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Bothrops jararaca Venom
  • Collagen / chemistry
  • Collagen / drug effects*
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Crotalid Venoms / chemistry
  • Crotalid Venoms / metabolism
  • Crotalid Venoms / toxicity*
  • Metalloendopeptidases / chemistry
  • Metalloendopeptidases / metabolism
  • Metalloendopeptidases / toxicity*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / metabolism

Substances

  • Crotalid Venoms
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Collagen
  • Metalloendopeptidases
  • berythractivase, Bothrops erythromelas
  • hemorrhagic metalloproteinase