Title:Exploring the Current Potential of Snake Venom Disintegrins as Chemotherapeutic Agents: A Narrative Update on their Clinical Translational Potential
Volume: 4
Author(s): Abin V. Geevarghese*, Aleeta Maria Jolly and Jaya Thomas
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, India
Keywords:
Anti-cancer, disintegrins, metastasis, polypeptides, chemotherapeutic agents, enzymatic and nonenzymatic molecules.
Abstract: A potential source of multiple enzymatic and nonenzymatic molecules that protect the
host is snake venom. In these venoms, several kinds of peptides that have significant beneficial
effects were discovered and characterized. Disintegrins act by blocking integrins on transmembrane
cell surfaces, inhibiting tumor cells from adhering, migrating, forming new blood vessels,
and spreading. This has an important effect on delaying the development, neovascularization, and
growth of tumors. These cells are ideal candidates for novel therapies for the management of
malignancies due to their tumor selectivity and decreased size. As research findings in various in
vivo & in vitro, disintegrin proteins are low-molecular-weight polypeptides that are found in the
venom of vipers and rattle snakes. They act by blocking the β1 and β3 integrin receptors. Angiogenesis
and metastatic processes in cancer are mediated through β1 and β3 integrins. Hence,
blocking β1 and β3 integrin receptors plays a prominent role in blocking the progression of cancer,
and disintegrins seem to be promising candidates for antineoplastic therapies. The disintegrins
with anticancer properties include Crotatroxin 2, Alternagin-C, Rubistatin, Leucurogin, Mojastin-
1, Contortrostatin, Acostatin, Vicrostatin, Tzabcan, Eristostatin, Purpureomaculatus, Saxatilin,
Lebein, Salmosin, and Rhodostomin. The above mentioned disintegrins were considered
in this study. This review is based on the origins of these disintegrins, their modes of targeting,
their categorization, and their inherent anticancer potential.
