title: Pharmacological aspects of Vipera xantina palestinae venom.
abstract: In Israel, Vipera xantina palestinae (V.x.p.) is the most common venomous snake, accounting for several hundred cases of envenomation in humans and domestic animals every year, with a mortality rate of 0.5 to 2%. In this review we will briefly address the research developments relevant to our present understanding of the structure and function of V.x.p. venom with emphasis on venom disintegrins. Venom proteomics indicated the presence of four families of pharmacologically active compounds: (i) neurotoxins; (ii) hemorrhagins; (iii) angioneurin growth factors; and (iv) different types of integrin inhibitors. Viperistatin, a α1β1selective KTS disintegrin and VP12, a α2β1 selective C-type lectin were discovered. These snake venom proteins represent promising tools for research and development of novel collagen receptor selective drugs. These discoveries are also relevant for future improvement of antivenom therapy towards V.x.p. envenomation.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. momict@gmail.com
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Momic
authors.forename: Franziska T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Arlinghaus
authors.forename: Hadar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arien-Zakay
authors.forename: Jeoshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katzhendler
authors.forename: Johannes A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Eble
authors.forename: Cezary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marcinkiewicz
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lazarovici
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D020543:Proteome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D017819:Viperidae
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D016023:Integrins; D009498:Neurotoxins; D020543:Proteome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014757:Viper Venoms; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor