title: Characterization of two vasoactive peptides isolated from the plasma of the snake Crotalus durissus terrificus.
abstract: Incubation of plasma from the snake Crotalus durissus terrificus (CDTP) with trypsin generated two hypotensive peptides. The primary structure of the peptides was established for two sequences as: (Ser-Ile-Pro-Gln-Ala-Pro-Thr-Ser-Asn-Leu-Ile-Glu-Ala-Thr-Lys) and (Lys-Pro-Asp-Ala-Asn-Gln-Val-Leu-Ile-Gln-Val-Ile-Gly-Val). These peptides display homology with fragments of albumin from Trimeresurus flavoviridis. Bolus intra-arterial injection of the purified or the synthetic peptide produced a strong and sustained vasopressor response in the anaesthetized snake (CDT) and rats (Wistar); this hypotensive effect was also potentiated by captopril-an angiotensin-converting (0.1 mg/kg) enzyme inhibitor.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Biophysics Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05503-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.forename: L C A G
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chaguri
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Prezoto
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lebrun
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002216:Captopril / Q000494:pharmacology; D017839:Crotalus; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D002216:Captopril