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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
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Extraction of Venom and Venom Gland Microdissections from Spiders for Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses
Published on: November 3, 2014
Transcriptomic Dissection of Bothrops moojeni Venom Reveals Fraction-Specific Modulation of Host Cellular Pathways.
Fernanda D'Amélio1,2,3, Rodrigo Pinheiros Araldi4, Isabel de Fátima Correia Batista3
1Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Biology, UNIFESP, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Snake venom's complex molecules disrupt bone remodeling. Transcriptomics reveals high molecular mass fractions impact cytoskeletal and signaling pathways, while low molecular mass fractions affect immune and metabolic processes.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Snake venom contains diverse bioactive molecules.
- Understanding venom component effects on host cells is crucial but challenging.
- Osteoclast differentiation is a key process in bone remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct effects of crude Bothrops moojeni venom and its molecular mass fractions on human osteoclast differentiation.
- To elucidate the specific molecular pathways targeted by different venom components using transcriptomic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Comparative transcriptomic analysis of human osteoclastogenic cultures.
- Continuous exposure to crude Bothrops moojeni venom, high molecular mass (HMM) fraction, and low molecular mass (LMM) fraction during osteoclast differentiation.
- Analysis of cumulative transcriptional shifts throughout the osteoclast lifecycle.
Main Results:
- Crude venom induced broad changes in neuroimmune, extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammatory, and apoptotic pathways.
- HMM fraction primarily affected cytoskeletal remodeling, intracellular trafficking, and osteoclast signaling.
- LMM fraction influenced immune regulation, proliferation, and metabolic homeostasis, while reducing catalytic functions.
Conclusions:
- Distinct molecular mass fractions of Bothrops moojeni venom differentially regulate osteoclast differentiation pathways.
- Transcriptomics provides a powerful tool for dissecting complex venom-host interactions and their impact on bone remodeling.
- Both venom fractions converge on disrupting core metabolic and signaling processes, evidenced by reduced ATP-dependent and ligand-binding activities.
