title: Snake venom hyaluronidase: a therapeutic target.
abstract: The diffusion of toxins from the site of a bite into the circulation is essential for successful envenomation. Degradation of hyaluronic acid in the extracellular matrix (ECM) by venom hyaluronidase is a key factor in this diffusion. Hyaluronidase not only increases the potency of other toxins but also damages the local tissue. In spite of its important role, little attention has been paid to this enzyme. Hyaluronidase exists in various isoforms and generates a wide range of hyaluronic acid degradation products. This suggests that beyond its role as a spreading factor venom hyaluronidase deserves to be explored as a possible therapeutic target for inhibiting the systemic distribution of venom and also for minimizing local tissue destruction at the site of the bite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Mysore, Mysore--570 006, India. kemparaj@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kemparaju
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Girish
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D012910:Snake Venoms; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase