Fig. 4
Evolution of analytical strategies in the characterization of snake venoms by proteomic tools, used in combination with appended methodologies. Initial proteomic studies on venoms essentially focused on the qualitative cataloguing of components. The introduction of the snake venomics strategy led to a valuable increase in the informative value of these analyses, by providing an estimation of the abundances of venom components. In combination with antivenomics, the immunogenicity of venom components can be inferred by evaluating their recognition by antibodies present in a given antivenom. A third dimension in the characterization of venoms is provided by a combination with toxicovenomics, which evaluates the toxic activities of components. Altogether, these combined strategies increase the informative value of studies characterizing venoms by disclosing their composition (venomics), immunorecognition (antivenomics) and toxicity (toxicovenomics)