Isolation of a hemorrhagic toxin from Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) venom.
A hemorrhagic toxin was isolated from Mojave rattlesnake venom. The isoelectric point of the toxin was 4.7 and its mol. wt was 27,000. Concentrations as low as 2 micrograms injected s.c. in mice caused hemorrhage greater than 5 mm in diameter. The toxin was fibrinogenolytic and hydrolyzed hide powder azure, casein and collagen. The toxin also partially inactivated complement. It had no activity against elastin, fibrin, and the chromogenic substrates S-2805, S-2302 and S-2238. Its esterolytic activity was 3% of the activity of the unfractionated venom. The enzymatic and hemorrhagic activities were inhibited by EDTA. The hemorrhagic toxin was absent or in low quantities in Mojave rattlesnake venoms containing Mojave toxin. Chromatography by HPLC easily distinguishes Mojave rattlesnake venoms into two types by the presence or absence of the hemorrhagic toxin.
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso 79968.
M
M
Martinez
E D
ED
Rael
N L
NL
Maddux
D000818:Animals; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000032:analysis*; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008970:Molecular Weight; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology
D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D014118:Toxins, Biological; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D010450:Endopeptidases