Biochemical and pharmacological screening of snake (Bothrops) venoms: characterization of components acting on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation.
Six venoms from snakes of the genus Bothrops were tested for coagulation, platelet aggregation and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity. Almost all showed pro-coagulant and PLA2 activities while pro-aggregating properties were found only for some venoms. Bothrops jararaca venom showed different protein peaks associated with these activities. The pro-aggregating activity was inhibited by EDTA, leupeptin and mepacrine while the PLA2 activity was blocked by p-bromophenacyl bromide and 2-mercaptoethanol. Venom screening tests for clotting and platelet aggregation may represent a valuable tool for snake taxonomy and for monitoring the quality of antisera.
Zingali
R B
RB
Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Francischetti
I M
IM
Carlini
C R
CR
Guimarães
J A
JA
D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism*; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*
D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D010740:Phospholipases; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2