Presynaptic Proteins as Markers of the Neurotoxic Activity of BmjeTX-I and BmjeTX-II Toxins from Bothrops marajoensis (Marajó Lancehead) Snake Venom

Figure 6

Immunofluorescence for synaptophysin, Syf (a, d, g), synaptobrevin, Syb (b, e, h), and SNAP25, S25 (c, f, i) in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of chick biventer cervicis. In controls ((a)–(c)) all proteins were expressed indicating active presynaptic machinery. However, in BmjeTX-I-treated ((d)–(f)) and BmjeTX-II-treated (g)–(i) preparations no immunolabelling was detected indicating inactivity of the presynaptic machinery. (j) Percentage of Syf, Syb, and S25 protein showed 100% expression in control preparations and represented as a single control bar, whereas a remarkable reduction was observed for BmjeTX-I- and BmjeTX-II-treated samples. α-Bungarotoxin (αBgTx) was used to indicate the ACh receptor. Data were expressed as mean ± SD ( relative to control), one-way ANOVA plus Bonferroni posttest ( per treatment).

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