r~,, vd. 30. ~. ~. va r~;oc~a ~ amu s~.
oo4~-0io~rrz u.ao + .ao
6ei~, i~.
~moo ~Ltd
LETTER TO THE EDITOR TOWARDS A NOMENCLATURE SYSTEM OF ANIMAL, PLANT AND MICROBIAL TOXINS the last two decades, various authors have written letters to the editor of Toxicon dealing with the subject of the nomenclature of animal toxins (Booms et al., 1974, 1975 ; H~xgs and SI~oLn~I, 1975; Atxn et al., 1985 ; B~xxs, 1985 ; Hest~xx, 1985 ; Mt~s, 1985a, b; Mtx'rox, 1985; RowsirRC, 1985 ; KUIKAR et al., 1990; AtRn, 1990; K~Iw, 1990 ; Mt~s, 1990) . Although everybody agrees that to elaborate a nomenclature system for, e.g., snake venom toxins is not an easy task, the president and the secretary of the International Society on Toxinology asked me to accept the chairmanship of an `IST Nomenclature Committee' . In a first step, some 20 members of the society were asked to participate in a `provisional' first phase of the committee work, in which some questionnaires were worked out to draw a framework of the future activities to be initiated. As a product of this activity, a questionnaire was recently published in the IST Newsletter 35/June 91 to ask the opinion of the membership . The results of this survey are summarized in Table 1. DURING
Task of the IST Nomenclature Committee
From these results the task of the IST Nomenclature Committee is quite clear: (1) the nomenclature of toxins should be standardized; (2) a numerical system should be used as an index of the formal toxin registry ; (3) the nomenclature system should be based on current organic chemical nomenclature ; (4) trivial names are regarded as useful and desirable. If possible, however, they should be also standardized ; (5) a registry of toxins along with their chemical and pharmacological characterization should be published on a regular base. Standardization of venom components acting on haemostasis
Venom components affecting blood coagulation and fibrinolysis are of importance in basic research, in diagnosis and, to some extent, in the treatment of human blood coagulation disorders (M~t and S~rocl~t, 1991). Therefore, the International Committce on Thrombosis and Haemostasis has established a `Subcommittee on Nomenclature of . Exogenous I~-aemostatic factors' . Fâght out of 11 members of this subcommittee are also members of the International Society on Toxinology, and the chair is actually held by Dr Kurt Stocker. Recently, members of this subcommittee have published a number of inventories of such exogenous haemostatic factors (Fibrinogenases: M~xn, 1991 ; Thrombin-like Enzymes: Ptxlcts and Sz~oct~e, 1991 ; Inhibitors of Platelet Aggregation: Trims and Huwrtc3, 1991 ; Prothrombin Activators: Rows and Twxs, 1991 ; Platelet-aggregating Agents: St~rx and BRINRHOUS, 1991). Furthermore, this
Letters to the Editor
68 2
Teat.e 1 . lt~trtss oF Qussiloivs ro ~ ~s oF ~ Irrtmexe~nox~t. Soc~rr ox Toxnvoi.oaY (IST NEwstgrt~t 35/Jvrn? 91) Question Should an effort be made towards standardization of animal, plant and microbial toxins? Would it be beneficial to develop a universal numerical system (e .g . similar to that in use for enzyme nomenclature)? sh ould such a numerical system be used as an index for a formal registry of known biological toxins? should it be intended as an independent nomtnclatural system unto itself? Should a nomenclature system be based on current organic chemical nomenclature? Should a nomenclature system be based on species names? Should a nomenclature system be based on biochemical and pharmacological effects? Do you view trivial names as useful or desirable? should trivial names be standardized as well? Would you employ date of discovery as a means of Giving Precedence to a particular name within a class (e .g. Crotamine would supplant myotoxin a)? should a lint of trivial names adopted by the IST be established? Should the IST reguhuiy publish a registry of toxins along with their chemical and pharmacological characterization?
%Yea
%No
98
2
87
l3
89
11
22
78
63
37
53
47
48 80 91
52 20 9
49
51
92
8
100
0
subcommittee has proposed a scheme for coining trivial names for such factors occurring outside of the normal haemostatic systems of human blood (Table 2; PIItxLE and M~xsJEI, 1991). The scheme presented in Table 2 has bcen accepted by the International Committee on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. It is proposed that the International Society on Toxinology follow this nomenclature scheme for venom components affecting haemostasis elaborated and approved by the International Committee on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Next steps In a next step, the committee will focus on toxins derived from snake venoms. Groups of scientists specialized in different toxin types will be formed . In these groups, inventories of the different toxin types are to be elaborated . In a further, more crucial step, a nomenclature scheme has to be elaborated . Hopefully, within 2 years' time, the first published results of the committee work should be possible .
Letters to the Editor
683
TAB~ 2. T~ ICTH Sc~~rm oP Noe~NCUT~Re oP EXOOHNOtIS HF.II~OSfATIC FACTORS (PROY PIR[LLS AND MARSH, 1991) (a) Suffixes denoting hemostatic actions Suffix
Hemostatic actions
-obin -fibtase
fibrinogen-clotting fibrinogen-digesting prothrombin-activating activator of factor X, etc. platelet-aggregating inhibition of platelet aggregation
-activase X, etc. -statin
" or, alternatively, -activase II. (b) Examples (mostly hypothetical) using species names that are not unique (Bothrops atrox and Crotahcs otrox) and a unique species name (Bitis gabontca) Bothrops atrox
Crotahrs atrox
Bitis gabanica
batroxobin batrofibtase batroxarin batractivase X batrocytin batrostatin
catroxobin catrofibrase catroxarin catractivase X catrocytin catrostatin
gabonobin gabonifibraae gabonarin gabonactivase X gabonicytin gaboniatatin
Jùrg Meier Pentapharm Ltd 4002 Basel Switzerland Chairman IST Nomenclaturt; Committee Kurt Stocker Pentapharm Ltd 4002 Basel Switzerland Chairman, ICTH Subcommittee on `Exogenous Haemostatic Factors' Afenrbera of the (provirtormiJ IST Tazôt Nona nclatm Committee S . AmD, Salt Lake City, U .S.A.; B. BANKS, London, U .K. ; H . BtzzQn, Paris, Frana; W . CAAYICFIABL, Dayton, U .S .A . ; L. CRUZ, Salt Lake City, U.S.A.; E. GR1SF~i, Moscow, Russia; E. IIAH®IYANN, Gieaaen, F.RG. ; G. HAagI~II., Hannover, F.R .G . ; A. HARVEY, Strathclyde, U.K . ; R . Hro~t, London, U.K.; R . HUxTAe~, Tucson, U .S.A . ; I . KAB, Lammre, U.SA.; E. KocxvA, Tel-Aviv, Israel ; B. Low, New York, U.S .A . ; D . MBes, Franläurt, F .RG . ; J . M~ ( [`,ha ;rn,nn), Basel, Switzerland; A. Mf~z, Gif-sur-Yvette, Franoe; L. PossAtvi, Cuernsvaca, Mexico; P. ItoswRata, Stoma, U.S .A. ; W . Sam, Minneapolis, U.S .A . ; K. Sroct~e, Hasel, Switzerland ; T. YASUisom, Sondai, Japan .
684
Letters to the Editor REFERENCES
Ann, S. (1990) Letter to the Editor~;all for an IST nomenclature committee. Taxiton 28, 136-137 . Aato, S. D., Kera~y I. I. and B~, A. L. (1985) Letter to the Editor-Nomenclature of biological toxins, Toxicon 23, 179-182. Bex~s, B. E. C. (1985) Nomenclature of naturally occurring peptides. Toxitorr Z:i, 194-195. Bexcs, B. E. C. and Sr~ornvr, R A. (1975) Letter to the Editor-Nomenclature of naturally occurring peptides . Toxicore 13, 307-309. How, D. P., Ctietssoiv, F. H. H., Joue~er, F. J., Lovw, A. L S~tnvnrnt, A. J. C., Sravoox, D. J. and V¢.roerr, C. C. (1974) Letter to the Editor-Nomenclature of snake venom toxins. Toxicon 12, 99-101 . Hm~es, D. P., Cexrs~orr, F. H. H., Jot~er, F. J., Louw, A. L., S~rxvnosr, A. J. C., SrxxYOOY, D. J. and Va .ro®v, C. C. (1974) Letter to the Editor~A response to "Nomenclature of naturally occurring peptides". Taxiton 13, 311-312. Hwamuurrx, E. (1985) Responses to the letter to the Editor by A>AO, Kersare and Hoe. Names and code numbers as aids to classify toxins. Toxkan 23, 183-185. Ke>~e, I. I. (1990) Letter to the Editor~Toxin nomenclature . Toxicarr 28, 137-138. Kurua, T. K. S., Renru, R, and Rw~aev, S. (1990) Letter to the Editor-What's in a name? Taxicorr 28, 135-136. M"QCi "~, F. S. JA. (1991) Inventory of a- and ß-flbrino®cnaaes from snake venoms. 77uomb . Xaemorrm. 66, 43843. Mss, D. (1985x) Responses to the letter to the Editor by A>An, Ketazßt and Bye. Taxiton 23, 185-186. Mns, D. (19856) Comments on the nomenclature of snake venom toxins. Taxiton Z3, 197. Mss, D. (1990) Reply to the Letter to the Editor by Kaiure, Renru and Rwrmrrev . Toxitorr 28, 138-139 . Mme, J. and STOC®t, K. (1991) Effects of snake venoma on hemostasis . Crit. Rev. Toxitol. 21, 171-182. Mnvrox, S. A. (1985) Responses to the letter to the Editor by Ann, Ketsae and Bit-The shifting sands of nomenclature . Toxitae 3, 186-187. Pne~r.s, H. and Mensa, N. (1991) Nomenclature of exogenous hemoatatic factors. Thranb. Haenrattas . 66, 264. Pmer.s, H. and S'ror,~e, K. (1991) Thrombin-like enzymes from snake venoms : an inventory. 79rromb. Hotmostm. 6S, 44450. Itos~ra~ta, P. (1985) Nomenclature of venom toxins. Toxieovr 23, 198-199. Rosn~a, J. and Twres, G. (1991) Inventory of exogenous prothrombin activators. Tlwomb . Haenrostas . 66. 627-630. Srara, S. V. and BAINt~OIA, K. M. (1991) Inventory of exogenous platelet-aggregating agents derived from venons. Tluonrb. Haenrostaa . 66, 259-263. Terra, C. M, and Huerra, T. F. (1991) Inventory of exogenous inhibitors of platelet aggrogation . 77rromb, Hatnrostas. 66, 624fi26.
oo4~-0io~rrz u.ao + .ao
6ei~, i~.
~moo ~Ltd
LETTER TO THE EDITOR TOWARDS A NOMENCLATURE SYSTEM OF ANIMAL, PLANT AND MICROBIAL TOXINS the last two decades, various authors have written letters to the editor of Toxicon dealing with the subject of the nomenclature of animal toxins (Booms et al., 1974, 1975 ; H~xgs and SI~oLn~I, 1975; Atxn et al., 1985 ; B~xxs, 1985 ; Hest~xx, 1985 ; Mt~s, 1985a, b; Mtx'rox, 1985; RowsirRC, 1985 ; KUIKAR et al., 1990; AtRn, 1990; K~Iw, 1990 ; Mt~s, 1990) . Although everybody agrees that to elaborate a nomenclature system for, e.g., snake venom toxins is not an easy task, the president and the secretary of the International Society on Toxinology asked me to accept the chairmanship of an `IST Nomenclature Committee' . In a first step, some 20 members of the society were asked to participate in a `provisional' first phase of the committee work, in which some questionnaires were worked out to draw a framework of the future activities to be initiated. As a product of this activity, a questionnaire was recently published in the IST Newsletter 35/June 91 to ask the opinion of the membership . The results of this survey are summarized in Table 1. DURING
Task of the IST Nomenclature Committee
From these results the task of the IST Nomenclature Committee is quite clear: (1) the nomenclature of toxins should be standardized; (2) a numerical system should be used as an index of the formal toxin registry ; (3) the nomenclature system should be based on current organic chemical nomenclature ; (4) trivial names are regarded as useful and desirable. If possible, however, they should be also standardized ; (5) a registry of toxins along with their chemical and pharmacological characterization should be published on a regular base. Standardization of venom components acting on haemostasis
Venom components affecting blood coagulation and fibrinolysis are of importance in basic research, in diagnosis and, to some extent, in the treatment of human blood coagulation disorders (M~t and S~rocl~t, 1991). Therefore, the International Committce on Thrombosis and Haemostasis has established a `Subcommittee on Nomenclature of . Exogenous I~-aemostatic factors' . Fâght out of 11 members of this subcommittee are also members of the International Society on Toxinology, and the chair is actually held by Dr Kurt Stocker. Recently, members of this subcommittee have published a number of inventories of such exogenous haemostatic factors (Fibrinogenases: M~xn, 1991 ; Thrombin-like Enzymes: Ptxlcts and Sz~oct~e, 1991 ; Inhibitors of Platelet Aggregation: Trims and Huwrtc3, 1991 ; Prothrombin Activators: Rows and Twxs, 1991 ; Platelet-aggregating Agents: St~rx and BRINRHOUS, 1991). Furthermore, this
Letters to the Editor
68 2
Teat.e 1 . lt~trtss oF Qussiloivs ro ~ ~s oF ~ Irrtmexe~nox~t. Soc~rr ox Toxnvoi.oaY (IST NEwstgrt~t 35/Jvrn? 91) Question Should an effort be made towards standardization of animal, plant and microbial toxins? Would it be beneficial to develop a universal numerical system (e .g . similar to that in use for enzyme nomenclature)? sh ould such a numerical system be used as an index for a formal registry of known biological toxins? should it be intended as an independent nomtnclatural system unto itself? Should a nomenclature system be based on current organic chemical nomenclature? Should a nomenclature system be based on species names? Should a nomenclature system be based on biochemical and pharmacological effects? Do you view trivial names as useful or desirable? should trivial names be standardized as well? Would you employ date of discovery as a means of Giving Precedence to a particular name within a class (e .g. Crotamine would supplant myotoxin a)? should a lint of trivial names adopted by the IST be established? Should the IST reguhuiy publish a registry of toxins along with their chemical and pharmacological characterization?
%Yea
%No
98
2
87
l3
89
11
22
78
63
37
53
47
48 80 91
52 20 9
49
51
92
8
100
0
subcommittee has proposed a scheme for coining trivial names for such factors occurring outside of the normal haemostatic systems of human blood (Table 2; PIItxLE and M~xsJEI, 1991). The scheme presented in Table 2 has bcen accepted by the International Committee on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. It is proposed that the International Society on Toxinology follow this nomenclature scheme for venom components affecting haemostasis elaborated and approved by the International Committee on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Next steps In a next step, the committee will focus on toxins derived from snake venoms. Groups of scientists specialized in different toxin types will be formed . In these groups, inventories of the different toxin types are to be elaborated . In a further, more crucial step, a nomenclature scheme has to be elaborated . Hopefully, within 2 years' time, the first published results of the committee work should be possible .
Letters to the Editor
683
TAB~ 2. T~ ICTH Sc~~rm oP Noe~NCUT~Re oP EXOOHNOtIS HF.II~OSfATIC FACTORS (PROY PIR[LLS AND MARSH, 1991) (a) Suffixes denoting hemostatic actions Suffix
Hemostatic actions
-obin -fibtase
fibrinogen-clotting fibrinogen-digesting prothrombin-activating activator of factor X, etc. platelet-aggregating inhibition of platelet aggregation
-activase X, etc. -statin
" or, alternatively, -activase II. (b) Examples (mostly hypothetical) using species names that are not unique (Bothrops atrox and Crotahcs otrox) and a unique species name (Bitis gabontca) Bothrops atrox
Crotahrs atrox
Bitis gabanica
batroxobin batrofibtase batroxarin batractivase X batrocytin batrostatin
catroxobin catrofibrase catroxarin catractivase X catrocytin catrostatin
gabonobin gabonifibraae gabonarin gabonactivase X gabonicytin gaboniatatin
Jùrg Meier Pentapharm Ltd 4002 Basel Switzerland Chairman IST Nomenclaturt; Committee Kurt Stocker Pentapharm Ltd 4002 Basel Switzerland Chairman, ICTH Subcommittee on `Exogenous Haemostatic Factors' Afenrbera of the (provirtormiJ IST Tazôt Nona nclatm Committee S . AmD, Salt Lake City, U .S.A.; B. BANKS, London, U .K. ; H . BtzzQn, Paris, Frana; W . CAAYICFIABL, Dayton, U .S .A . ; L. CRUZ, Salt Lake City, U.S.A.; E. GR1SF~i, Moscow, Russia; E. IIAH®IYANN, Gieaaen, F.RG. ; G. HAagI~II., Hannover, F.R .G . ; A. HARVEY, Strathclyde, U.K . ; R . Hro~t, London, U.K.; R . HUxTAe~, Tucson, U .S.A . ; I . KAB, Lammre, U.SA.; E. KocxvA, Tel-Aviv, Israel ; B. Low, New York, U.S .A . ; D . MBes, Franläurt, F .RG . ; J . M~ ( [`,ha ;rn,nn), Basel, Switzerland; A. Mf~z, Gif-sur-Yvette, Franoe; L. PossAtvi, Cuernsvaca, Mexico; P. ItoswRata, Stoma, U.S .A. ; W . Sam, Minneapolis, U.S .A . ; K. Sroct~e, Hasel, Switzerland ; T. YASUisom, Sondai, Japan .
684
Letters to the Editor REFERENCES
Ann, S. (1990) Letter to the Editor~;all for an IST nomenclature committee. Taxiton 28, 136-137 . Aato, S. D., Kera~y I. I. and B~, A. L. (1985) Letter to the Editor-Nomenclature of biological toxins, Toxicon 23, 179-182. Bex~s, B. E. C. (1985) Nomenclature of naturally occurring peptides. Toxitorr Z:i, 194-195. Bexcs, B. E. C. and Sr~ornvr, R A. (1975) Letter to the Editor-Nomenclature of naturally occurring peptides . Toxicore 13, 307-309. How, D. P., Ctietssoiv, F. H. H., Joue~er, F. J., Lovw, A. L S~tnvnrnt, A. J. C., Sravoox, D. J. and V¢.roerr, C. C. (1974) Letter to the Editor-Nomenclature of snake venom toxins. Toxicon 12, 99-101 . Hm~es, D. P., Cexrs~orr, F. H. H., Jot~er, F. J., Louw, A. L., S~rxvnosr, A. J. C., SrxxYOOY, D. J. and Va .ro®v, C. C. (1974) Letter to the Editor~A response to "Nomenclature of naturally occurring peptides". Taxiton 13, 311-312. Hwamuurrx, E. (1985) Responses to the letter to the Editor by A>AO, Kersare and Hoe. Names and code numbers as aids to classify toxins. Toxkan 23, 183-185. Ke>~e, I. I. (1990) Letter to the Editor~Toxin nomenclature . Toxicarr 28, 137-138. Kurua, T. K. S., Renru, R, and Rw~aev, S. (1990) Letter to the Editor-What's in a name? Taxicorr 28, 135-136. M"QCi "~, F. S. JA. (1991) Inventory of a- and ß-flbrino®cnaaes from snake venoms. 77uomb . Xaemorrm. 66, 43843. Mss, D. (1985x) Responses to the letter to the Editor by A>An, Ketazßt and Bye. Taxiton 23, 185-186. Mns, D. (19856) Comments on the nomenclature of snake venom toxins. Taxiton Z3, 197. Mss, D. (1990) Reply to the Letter to the Editor by Kaiure, Renru and Rwrmrrev . Toxitorr 28, 138-139 . Mme, J. and STOC®t, K. (1991) Effects of snake venoma on hemostasis . Crit. Rev. Toxitol. 21, 171-182. Mnvrox, S. A. (1985) Responses to the letter to the Editor by Ann, Ketsae and Bit-The shifting sands of nomenclature . Toxitae 3, 186-187. Pne~r.s, H. and Mensa, N. (1991) Nomenclature of exogenous hemoatatic factors. Thranb. Haenrattas . 66, 264. Pmer.s, H. and S'ror,~e, K. (1991) Thrombin-like enzymes from snake venoms : an inventory. 79rromb. Hotmostm. 6S, 44450. Itos~ra~ta, P. (1985) Nomenclature of venom toxins. Toxieovr 23, 198-199. Rosn~a, J. and Twres, G. (1991) Inventory of exogenous prothrombin activators. Tlwomb . Haenrostas . 66. 627-630. Srara, S. V. and BAINt~OIA, K. M. (1991) Inventory of exogenous platelet-aggregating agents derived from venons. Tluonrb. Haenrostaa . 66, 259-263. Terra, C. M, and Huerra, T. F. (1991) Inventory of exogenous inhibitors of platelet aggrogation . 77rromb, Hatnrostas. 66, 624fi26.
