Study on structure, function and gene regulation of Protobothrops flavoviridis snake venom phospholipase A2 isozymes

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25450139
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied biochemistry
• Research Institution: Sojo University
• Principal Investigator: ODA-UEDA Naoko (小田直子) 崇城大学, 薬学部, 教授 (70211828)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SHIBATA Hironori 九州大学, 生体防御医学研究所, 准教授 (80315093) ; UNOKI Motoko 九州大学, 生体防御医学研究所, 助教 (30525374)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 蛇毒 / ホスホリパーゼA2 / 遺伝子発現

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have studied the structure, function and gene expression of venomous phospholipase A2 (PLA2) isozymes in habu snake (Protobothrops flavoviridis), especially focusing on specifically expressed PLA2 isozyme, so-called pgPLA1b/2b, in juvenile snake. For this purpose, pgPLA1b/2b protein was expressed in yeast and purified on column chromatographies. The gene regulation study with RT-PCR for venom glands of various ages demonstrated that expression of pgPLA1b/2b decreased as the age of the snake increased from 0 to 1 year old and it was no longer detected in 2-year-old-snakes. On the other hand, four other PLA2 isozyme genes were steadily expressed regardless of age. This work presents new perspectives as to why pgPLA1b/2b exists only in juvenile snake and how it can be regulated in gene expression with age.

Free Research Field

分子生物学