ISOLATION OF SNAKE VENOM TOXINS AND STUDY OF THEIR MECHANISM OF ACTION
Abstract:
A threefold approach was made to the study of snake venoms isolation of venom toxins, elucidation of their mode of action, raising anti- venin potency. Attention was directed to phospholipase, hemolytic polypeptide, kinin-releasing enzyme, hemorrhagin, and antihemorrhagin antibody. Methods included exchange chromatography, gel filtration, histochemical, electron microscopical, phospholipid hydrolysis, microsomal ATPase, enzymatic antibody fragmentation. The conclusions are Naja naja venom contains several phospholipase A iso-enzymes Echis coloratus venom contains two kinin-releasing enzymes fibrin deposition in the kidney by Echis carinatus venom is promoted by epsilon aminocaproic acid Vipera palestinae hemorrhagin impairs blood coagulation and platelet function by its proteolytic activity Ringhals phospholipase A inhibits microsomal ATPase lytic peptide of cobra venom activates hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids but not of soluble phospholipids bivalence of antibody appears significant in hemorrhagin neutralization. It is recommended that further studies in the above areas are carried out. Author