Multipurpose HTS Coagulation Analysis: Assay Development and Assessment of Coagulopathic Snake Venoms

Kristina B. M. Still, Randjana S. S. Nandlal, Julien Slagboom, Govert W. Somsen, Nicholas R. Casewell, Jeroen Kool

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Coagulation assays currently employed are often low throughput, require specialized equipment and/or require large blood/plasma samples. This study describes the development, optimization and early application of a generic low-volume and high-throughput screening (HTS) assay for coagulation activity. The assay is a time-course spectrophotometric measurement which kinetically measures the clotting profile of bovine or human plasma incubated with Ca2+ and a test compound. The HTS assay can be a valuable new tool for coagulation diagnostics in hospitals, for research in coagulation disorders, for drug discovery and for venom research. A major effect following envenomation by many venomous snakes is perturbation of blood coagulation caused by haemotoxic compounds present in the venom. These compounds, such as anticoagulants, are potential leads in drug discovery for cardiovascular diseases. The assay was implemented in an integrated analytical approach consisting of reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) for separation of crude venom components in combination with parallel post-column coagulation screening and mass spectrometry (MS). The approach was applied for the rapid assessment and identification of profiles of haemotoxic compounds in snake venoms. Procoagulant and anticoagulant activities were correlated with accurate masses from the parallel MS measurements, facilitating the detection of peptides showing strong anticoagulant activity.

Original languageEnglish
Article number382
JournalToxins
Volume9
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

Funding

Acknowledgments: NRC was supported by a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (200517/Z/16/Z) jointly funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society, and by a UK Medical Research Council Confidence in Concept Award (MC_PC_15040).

FundersFunder number
Wellcome Trust
Royal SocietyMC_PC_15040

    Keywords

    • blood coagulation
    • coagulation bioassay
    • high-throughput screening
    • liquid chromatography
    • mass spectrometry
    • snake venoms

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