Although various proteins

from animal venoms have been isolated and characterized enzymatically, pharmacologically, toxicologically and/or structurally, the knowledge concerning their biotechnological potential is still very scarce, and each new research developed opens up new possibilities of potential uses for the development of future medications, which could bring fewer collateral effects with major efficiency for the treatment of many degenerative diseases (Koh et al., 2006; Lomonte et al., 2010; King, 2011; Kang et al., 2011; Koh and Kini, 2012). The present work demonstrates the genotoxic potential of B. jararacussu, B. brazili and B. atrox venoms, as well as the isolated toxins BthTX-I, BthTX-II, BjussuMP-II and BatxLAAO. Concentrations Z-VAD-FMK purchase up to 5 μg/mL were able to induce breakage in the DNA of human lymphocytes in the tested conditions. selleck chemicals llc The micronucleus test demonstrates the perpetuation of DNA breakage in the first cell generation produced after the treatment, showing that the DNA breaks were maintained even after the action of the cellular repair systems. These results could also be related to other pharmacological and toxic activities induced

by venoms and toxins, being useful for the elucidation of their mechanisms of action. The authors express their gratitude to Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do

Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Toxinas (INCT-Tox) and Secretaria de Estado do Planejamento e Coordenação Geral (CNPq-SEPLAN-RO) for the financial support, and to Conselho de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético (CGEN/MMA) for the authorization number 010627/2011-1. “
“Solenopsis fire ants are native to the Americas, with most of the species occurring in lower regions of South America ( Tschinkel, 2006). The most notorious of these is Solenopsis invicta Buren which was introduced to Thalidomide Alabama, US in the early 20th century and has since then successfully invaded warm regions around the world including in the Galapagos, China, and Vietnam ( Lofgren, 1986; Luo, 2005; Ascunce 2011) via commercial ships. This species is characterized by high population densities, aggressive behavior and a very potent sting. In the United States alone, more than 14 million people per year are stung by fire ants, as many as 100,000 of them seek medical attention ( Apperson and Adams, 1983) and more than 80 people have died because of high sensitivity to compounds within the venom ( deShazo et al., 1990; Stablein et al., 1985; Rhoades et al., 1989; Stafford, 1996; Prahlow and Barnard, 1989).