Studies on the subunit structure of textilotoxin, a potent presynaptic neurotoxin from the venom of the Australian common brown snake ( Pseudonaja textilis). 3. The complete amino-acid sequences of all the subunits

Abstract

The complete amino-acid sequences of subunits A, B, C and D of textilotoxin, the presynaptic neurotoxin from the venom of the Australian common brown snake, Pseudonaja textilis, were determined. These confirmed that it is structurally the most complex of any of the known snake venom neurotoxins. Textilotoxin consists of 623 amino-acid residues in five subunits (subunit A, 118 residues; subunit B, 121 residues; subunit C, 118 residues; subunit D, two chains of 133 residues each). All subunits A, B, C and D contain the putative phospholipase A 2 active site. Only subunit A showed any lethality on its own (4 mg/kg i.v. in mice). Subunit D contained two identical covalently-linked subunits and was weakly glycosylated. All subunits were necessary for maximum lethality at 1 μg/kg mice intraperitoneally. Details of the sequences of the subunits A, B and C are reported and interesting homology with other snake venom phospholipase A 2 neurotoxins indicated.