First Look at the Venoms of Two Sinomicrurus Snakes: Differences in Yield, Proteomic Profiles, and Immunorecognition by Commercial Antivenoms

Chinese coral snakes ( ) are highly neglected regarding their venom profiles and harm to humans, which impedes our ability to deeply understand their biological properties and explore their medicinal potential. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis to reveal the venom profiles of two Chinese coral snakes in terms of their venom yields, proteomic profiles, and immunorecognition by commercial antivenoms. The results showed that expels more venom (lyophilized venom mass) than but possesses a similar solid venom content. These interspecific differences in venom yield were influenced by the snout-vent length. The venoms of these two species varied in their electrophoretic profiles, as well as in the presence or absence and relative abundance of protein families. They exhibited a 3-FTx-predominant phenotype, where the venom was dominated by 3-FTx (32.43%), SVMP (23.63%), PLA (19.88%), and SVSP (12.61%), while the venom was dominated by 3-FTx (65.81%), LAAO (11.35%), and AMP (10.09%). While both the commercial and antivenoms could immunorecognize these two Chinese coral snake venoms, the antivenom possessed a higher neutralization capability than the antivenom for both species of coral snakes. Our findings show significant interspecific variations in the venom profiles of these snakes for the first time. We suggest screening or preparing specific antivenoms with high efficiency for the clinical treatment of envenomation caused by these snakes.