Fasciculin 1, Dendroaspis angusticeps (green mamba).

Fasciculins are a class of toxic proteins found in the venom of certain snakes, notably some species of mamba (genus Dendroaspis, family Elapidae). Investigations have revealed distinct forms in some green mamba venoms, in particular FAS1 and FAS2^[1] Fasciculins are so-called as they cause intense fasciculation in the muscle fascicles of susceptible organisms, such as in the snakes’ preferred avian or squamate prey. This effect incapacitates the prey’s muscles, likely killing it quickly (depending on the animal’s size) or paralyzing it sufficiently so as to be apprehended and swallowed by the snake.

Fundamental mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of the FAS proteins is associated with their ability to attach to molecules of the acetylcholinesterase in the muscles and their neuromuscular junctions, and thereby interfere with their necessary neuromodulatory inhibition.^[2]

Molecular nature and physiological effect

Fasciculins from mambas inhibit mammalian and fish acetylcholinesterases intensely, but are less active against the corresponding enzymes in insects, reptiles and birds. As one might expect of fast-acting venoms, they are fairly small proteins of about 61 amino acid residues. Their three-dimensional shape is three-fingered, and is secured by four cross-linking disulfide bridges.

Disruption of acetylcholine signalling

Venom disrupters of acetylcholine neurotransmission generally penetrate the neuromuscular junction, where they interfere with either the production or reception of acetylcholine, or the hydrolysis of acetylcholine after it has achieved its function of neurotransmission; mamba fasciculins prevent the final stage of this process by binding to acetylcholinesterase and blocking its action on acetylcholine; the result is that after the acetylcholine has transmitted the required stimulus, it continues with the stimulus after it has become inappropriate.^[2] That mechanism is in some ways similar to the effect of the so-called organophosphate nerve agents; the blockage of the acetylcholinesterase action is what causes the fasciculation that inspired the name fasciculin.

Docking and activity

In mammalian acetylcholinesterase two conserved peripheral anionic residues form part of the enzyme where the FAS molecule docks. Insect and avian acetylcholinesterases lack the two residues in those positions, and that drastically reduces their affinity for mamba fasciculins. However, there is a significant, though reduced, toxic effect, because several basic residues in the venom protein still establish and maintain contacts with the enzyme. This is unusual in protein complementarity, in that it involves attractions between multiple charged residues, but without any salt linkage between the molecules.^[3]

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