title: Enzymes with gelatinolytic activity can be found in Tityus bahiensis and Tityus serrulatus venoms.
abstract: Enzymes with gelatinolytic activity were detected in Tityus bahiensis and Tityus serrulatus venom. Their activity was optimal at pH 8.0 in SDS-PAGE-gelatin. They were inhibited by PMSF but not by iodoacetamide, pepstatin or phenantrolin in the assay conditions used. This suggests that these enzymes are serine proteases. The presence of metal ions did not affect the proteolytic activity of these enzymes. Several possible functions may be envisaged for these enzymes: in tissue permeabilization, pancreatitis and toxin processing.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: A M C
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pimenta
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: De Figueiredo
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Martin-Eauclaire
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Diniz
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: De Lima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010664:Phenylmethylsulfonyl Fluoride / Q000378:metabolism; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D012605:Scorpions / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D010664:Phenylmethylsulfonyl Fluoride; D018093:Gelatinases