Inhibition of bacterial biofilms by the snake venom proteome

• Published in: Biotechnology reports (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Vol. 39; p. e00810
• Main Authors: Khan, Neyaz A., Amorim, Fernanda G., Dunbar, John P., Leonard, Dayle, Redureau, Damien, Quinton, Loïc, Dugon, Michel M., Boyd, Aoife
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2023; Elsevier BV; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anti-biofilm agents; Anti-virulence molecules; Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Chimie; MRSA; MSSA; Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences; Physique, chimie, mathématiques & sciences de la terre; Snake venom; MSSA; Snake venom; Anti-biofilm agents; Anti-virulence molecules; MRSA
• ISSN: 2215-017X; 2215-017X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2023.e00810

•Snake venoms inhibit biofilm production by Staphylococcus aureus.•Naja samarensis and Bitis arietans venom proteomics reveals abundance of proteases.•Venom proteases could be developed for eradication of biofilm-producing bacteria. Snake venoms possess a range of pharmacological and toxicological activities. Here we evaluated the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA) of venoms from the Samar spitting cobra Naja samarensis and the Puff adder Bitis arietans. Both venoms prevented biofilm production by pathogenic S. aureus in a growth-independent manner, with the B. arietans venom being most potent. Fractionation showed the active molecule to be heat-labile and >10 kDa in size. Proteomic profiles of N. samarensis venom revealed neurotoxins and cytotoxins, as well as an abundance of serine proteases and three-finger toxins, while serine proteases, metalloproteinases and C-lectin types were abundant in B. arietans venom. These enzymes may have evolved to prevent bacteria colonising the snake venom gland. From a biomedical biotechnology perspective, they have valuable potential for anti-virulence therapy to fight antibiotic resistant microbes.