Title:An Update on Potential Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Actions of Snake Venom L-amino Acid Oxidases (LAAOs)
Volume: 25
Issue: 21
Author(s): Mauro V. Paloschi, Adriana S. Pontes, Andreimar M. Soares and Juliana P. Zuliani*
Affiliation:
- Laboratorio de Imunologia Celular Aplicada a Saude, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ Rondonia, Porto Velho-RO,Brazil
Keywords:
Snake venom, LAAO, mechanism of action, biomedical potential, aggregation, apoptosis, microbicidal,
inflammation.
Abstract: Background: LAAOs (EC 1.4.3.2) are found in concentrations that vary according to each
species of snakes; Viperidae, Crotalidae and Elapidae contain 1-9% of this enzyme in their venoms.
Methods: This review focuses on an update on molecular mechanisms, platelet activities, antimicrobial,
antiprotozoal, induction of apoptosis and inflammatory potential underlying the actions of SVLAAOs.
Results: Snake venom LAAOs (SV-LAAOs) have become an interesting subject for pharmacological,
structural and molecular studies.
Conclusion: Although the mechanisms of action of these enzymes are not well understood they are a
subject of a variety of studies, because LAAOs are multifunctional enzymes exhibiting a wide range of
pharmacological effects, including the inhibition or induction of platelet aggregation, hemolysis and
hemorrhage, in addition to the stimulation of apoptosis, the activation of leukocytes and the formation
of edema.
Moreover, SV-LAAOs play an important role in bactericidal, cytotoxic, anti-parasitic, anti-tumor, and
antiviral activities.