Agkistrodon acutus venom snake C-type lectin-like protein (Snaclec)

Agkistrodon acutus venom snake C-type lectin-like proteins, commonly referred to as snaclecs, are a major class of non-enzymatic proteins found in the venom of the long-nosed pit viper, also known as Deinagkistrodon acutus (UniProt, 2024). These proteins typically exist as heterodimers composed of alpha and beta subunits and exert their primary biological effects by targeting blood components, particularly platelets and coagulation factors (PubMed, PMID: 15617998). By binding with high affinity to receptors such as Glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), Glycoprotein VI (GPVI), or C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2), snaclecs can either trigger or block platelet aggregation, leading to the characteristic hematological disturbances seen in envenomation, such as thrombocytopenia and severe hemorrhage (PubMed, PMID: 22406181). In a clinical context, these proteins are the primary targets for specific antivenoms used to treat Agkistrodon acutus bites. Beyond their role in pathology, snaclecs are of significant interest in pharmacology as molecular tools for studying platelet physiology and as structural templates for the development of novel anti-thrombotic and anti-platelet therapeutic agents (PubMed, PMID: 11513578).

Other names

Snake C-type lectin-like proteinSnaclecAgkistrodon acutus CTLPAac-snaclecAgkistinDeinagkistrodon acutus C-type lectin

Binding to platelet receptors such as Glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) or Glycoprotein VI (GPVI) to either induce or inhibit platelet aggregation and interacting with coagulation factors to modulate the clotting cascade (PubMed, PMID: 15617998).