Qualitative and quantitative analysis of Bothrops jararaca venom gland proteome

While cellular transcripts encode rich information that provide key features to understand the molecular basis of snake venom variation, their presence/ abundance does not necessary imply/correlate in the translation of a functional (protein) product. In this study we carried out an analysis of the venom gland proteome of Bothrops jararaca taking into account two distinct phases of its ontogenetic development (i.e. newborn and adult specimens) and the marked sexual dimorphism recently reported on its venom proteome. Proteomic data analysis showed wider dynamic range for toxins when comparing to non-toxins and a dynamic proteome rearrangement in cellular proteins upon B. jararaca development. Differentially expressed proteins covered a number of biological pathways related to protein synthesis, including proteins related to transcription and translation, which were found to be significantly higher expressed in the newborn venom gland. Our results showed that the variation in the expression levels of cellular proteins gives rise to an even higher variation in the dynamic range of the expressed toxins. Upon ageing, the molecular constraints related to protein synthesis together with ecological traits would likely have an impact on the toxin repertoire, which, in the case of B. jararaca species, would enable the species to deal with different prey types during its lifespan.