Introduction
In order to understand this research, it is important to first understand the research that has already been done with rattlesnakes and PLA2s. This page will give a brief overview of what is already known about these subjects. For more information, click into some of the tabs under the introduction page. The hypothesis for this project can also be found here.
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are a species of snake which are found throughout the Americas.. They were named for the rattle on the end of their tail, which they shake when they feel threatened in order to deter predators. There are many types of rattlesnake, which vary in size, coloring, and behavior. Rattlesnake venom is toxic to humans and can have a variety of effects on the human body, some of which can be fatal if they are not properly treated. Due to the toxic nature of rattlesnake bites and their frequency (rattlesnakes bites are the most common type of snakebite in North America), it is important to understand the components of rattlesnake venom in order to understand why it is toxic to humans and to create antivenoms to treat any bites. This project focused on two subspecies of rattlesnake, Crotalus basiliscus and Crotalus simus tzabcan.
PLA2s
Phospholipases are a type of protein. They are found in many organisms, including bacteria, fungus, and mammals. Phospholipases break apart cell membranes by splitting apart their components ('phospho' refers to phospholipids, which make up cell membranes). There are several types of phosholipase, which all work with different reactions. The specific type of enzyme found in snake venom is Phospholipase A2 (PLA2). While PLA2s can exhibit the same breaking actions as other phospholipases, they can also have a variety of other effects which are unrelated to their membrane-breaking ability. These other effects can be very harmful to humans, and account for much of the toxicity in snake venom. PLA2s can block the firing of neurons (neurotoxicity) which can lead to paralysis, break down muscle cells (myotoxicity), and interfere with the clotting abilities of blood (platelet aggregation inhibition or activation) among other things. PLA2s can also target specific tissues and organs in the body. However, the effects of PLA2s vary with each species of snake, causing many snakevenoms to have different toxicitys. This means that in order to create effective antivenoms, each snake's venom and PLA2s must be studied in order to create effective antivenoms for each species of snake. For more information on PLA2s, click here.
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are a species of snake which are found throughout the Americas.. They were named for the rattle on the end of their tail, which they shake when they feel threatened in order to deter predators. There are many types of rattlesnake, which vary in size, coloring, and behavior. Rattlesnake venom is toxic to humans and can have a variety of effects on the human body, some of which can be fatal if they are not properly treated. Due to the toxic nature of rattlesnake bites and their frequency (rattlesnakes bites are the most common type of snakebite in North America), it is important to understand the components of rattlesnake venom in order to understand why it is toxic to humans and to create antivenoms to treat any bites. This project focused on two subspecies of rattlesnake, Crotalus basiliscus and Crotalus simus tzabcan.
PLA2s
Phospholipases are a type of protein. They are found in many organisms, including bacteria, fungus, and mammals. Phospholipases break apart cell membranes by splitting apart their components ('phospho' refers to phospholipids, which make up cell membranes). There are several types of phosholipase, which all work with different reactions. The specific type of enzyme found in snake venom is Phospholipase A2 (PLA2). While PLA2s can exhibit the same breaking actions as other phospholipases, they can also have a variety of other effects which are unrelated to their membrane-breaking ability. These other effects can be very harmful to humans, and account for much of the toxicity in snake venom. PLA2s can block the firing of neurons (neurotoxicity) which can lead to paralysis, break down muscle cells (myotoxicity), and interfere with the clotting abilities of blood (platelet aggregation inhibition or activation) among other things. PLA2s can also target specific tissues and organs in the body. However, the effects of PLA2s vary with each species of snake, causing many snakevenoms to have different toxicitys. This means that in order to create effective antivenoms, each snake's venom and PLA2s must be studied in order to create effective antivenoms for each species of snake. For more information on PLA2s, click here.