Enzymatic activities of Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper) venom

Abstract

The enzyme contents of four venom samples of Calloselasma rhodostoma were analyzed. The venoms contained phosphodiesterase, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, 5′-nucleotidase, protease, phospholipase A, l-amino acid oxidase, hyaluronidase, arginine ester hydrolase, arginine amidase, fibrinogenase and coagulant enzyme activities. There is significant variation in the contents of coagulant enzyme, arginine ester hydrolase, hyaluronidase, protease, phosphodiesterase, alkaline phosphomonoesterase and l-amino acid oxidase. DEAE-Sephacel ion exchange chromatography of the venom resolved it into eight major protein fractions. The eight fractions were heterogeneous and exhibited more than one type of enzymatic activity. The 5′-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, protease, coagulant enzyme, arginine ester hydrolase, arginine amidase and fibrinogenase exist in multiple forms.