Causes and Consequences of Snake Venom Variation

Abstract

Snake venoms are mixtures of toxins that vary extensively between and within snake species. This variability has serious consequences for the management of the world's 1.8 million annual snakebite victims. Advances in 'omic' technologies have empowered toxinologists to comprehensively characterize snake venom compositions, unravel the molecular mechanisms that underpin venom variation, and elucidate the ensuing functional consequences. In this review, we describe how such mechanistic processes have resulted in suites of toxin isoforms that cause diverse pathologies in human snakebite victims and we detail how variation in venom composition can result in treatment failure. Finally, we outline current therapeutic approaches designed to circumvent venom variation and deliver next-generation treatments for the world's most lethal neglected tropical disease.

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Cited by papers we hold 2

• In vivo and in vitro prospection of the anti-ophidic properties exercised by the extracts of Jacaranda decurrens L. · 2021
  Not checked
• Insights into how development and life-history dynamics shape the evolution of venom · 2021
  Not checked

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