Comparative venomics of Brazilian coral snakes: Micrurus frontalis, Micrurus spixii spixii, and Micrurus surinamensis

A comparative venom proteomic analysis of the Brazilian southern coral snake, M. frontalis, the Amazon coral snake M. spixii spixii, and the aquatic coral snake M. surinamensis is reported. Venoms from M. frontalis and M. s. spixii were composed mainly (> 90% of the total venom proteome) by 3FTxs and PLA(2)s in different proportions, and minor proteins from 2 to 5 protein families. Conversely, the aquatic coral snake expressed a streamlined (95%) 3FTx venom with low abundance (4.2%) of PLA(2) molecules. A compositional-lethal activity for natural prey correlation analysis suggests that M. surinamensis venom may has evolved under strong pressure to quickly immobilize aquatic prey. On the other hand, venoms from M. frontalis and M. s. spixii, whose diet consist mainly of amphisbaenians and colubrid snakes, may have been shaped through balancing selection. Our work provides strong evidence for the occurrence in M. frontalis venom, but not in those from M. s. spixi and M. surinamensis, of a KUN-PLA(2) complex homologue to heterodimeric venom toxins from some long-tailed monadal coral snakes that target acid-sensing receptors ASIC1 a/2 evoking pain. The M. frontalis protein would represent the first example of a KUN-PLA(2) heterodimer in a South American short-tailed triadal coral snake venom.