Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary System, Center for Molecular Medicine, Dept. Vascular Matrix Biology, Frankfurt University Hospital, Bldg 9, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Matrix Biol. 2010 May;29(4):239-47. doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2010.01.004. Epub 2010 Jan 15.
Venoms are cocktails containing pharmacologically active compounds, which drastically affect essential functions of the neuromuscular and cardiovascular system, as well as of blood, kidney and other organs. As the extracellular matrix and its contacts with cells are responsible for maintaining the integrity and functionality of these organs and tissues, it is not surprising that several venom components target matrix molecules and their respective cellular receptors. Many venom components, such as matrix-degrading enzymes, disintegrins, and C-type lectin-like proteins, have been identified and have laid the foundation for the frontier research field of matrix toxinology. Interestingly, many toxins consist of domains which are structurally homologous to modules and domains of matrix proteins, their proteinases and cellular receptors. In addition to finding new agents and tools, which specifically interact with matrix molecules and their receptors, the characterization of known matrix-targeting toxins will provide insights into their molecular modes of action and thus may lead to potential new therapeutic strategies for treating matrix-related diseases, such as blood clotting and thrombocyte-mediated disorders, but also tumor malignancies.
毒液是含有药理活性化合物的混合物，这些化合物会严重影响神经肌肉和心血管系统以及血液、肾脏和其他器官的基本功能。由于细胞外基质及其与细胞的接触负责维持这些器官和组织的完整性和功能，因此毫不奇怪，几种毒液成分的靶标是基质分子及其各自的细胞受体。已经鉴定出许多毒液成分，如基质降解酶、整联蛋白和 C 型凝集素样蛋白，为基质毒理学这一前沿研究领域奠定了基础。有趣的是，许多毒素由与基质蛋白、其蛋白酶和细胞受体的模块和结构域具有结构同源性的结构域组成。除了寻找与基质分子及其受体特异性相互作用的新试剂和工具外，对已知的基质靶向毒素的特征描述将提供对其分子作用模式的深入了解，从而可能为治疗与基质相关的疾病（如凝血和血小板介导的疾病）以及肿瘤恶性肿瘤提供潜在的新治疗策略。
