title: INN-toxin, a highly lethal peptide from the venom of Indian cobra (Naja naja) venom-Isolation, characterization and pharmacological actions.
abstract: A novel toxic polypeptide, INN-toxin, is purified from the venom of Naja naja using combination of gel-permeation and ion-exchange chromatography. It has a molecular mass of 6951.6Da as determined by MALDI-TOF/MS and the N-terminal sequence of LKXNKLVPLF. It showed both neurotoxic as well as cytotoxic activities. INN-toxin is lethal to mice with a LD(50) of 1.2mg/kg body weight. IgY raised in chicks against basic peptide pool neutralized the toxicity of INN-toxin. INN-toxin did not inhibit cholinesterase activity. It is toxic to Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells, but it is not toxic to leukocyte culture. The toxin appears to be specific in its mode of action. Interaction of N-bromosuccinamide (NBS) with the peptide resulted in the modification of tryptophan residues and loss of lethal toxicity of INN-toxin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biochemistry, Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, Mysore 570 006, India.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ponnappa
authors.forename: Pushpa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saviour
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Ramachandra
authors.forename: R Manjunatha
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kini
authors.forename: T Veerabasappa
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Gowda