Comparison of total protein and enzyme levels in successive regenerations of venom from individual coralsnakes.
Coralsnakes produce highly potent neurotoxic venoms, but little is known about variations in specific enzyme components within a species or from one replenishment of venom to the next within the same animal. Since published studies are often conducted using venom pools from multiple snakes, individual differences are masked and variations among individual snakes and between subsequent venom regenerations from the same snake have rarely been documented. This study involves the analysis and comparison of four successive venom collections from each of nine individual coralsnakes in order to detect these differences. Significant variation was found within the successive re-synthesis of venom components. Even greater differences were observed between the venoms from similar individual snakes. Since studies of variation in enzymatic activity would be significant only if they were above these normal variations, it is important to be aware of these differences. These results suggest the importance of understanding the variations present within and between individuals of the same species when interpreting the potential significance of differences found as the result of genetic, environmental or ecological factors.
Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, AR 72032, USA. Electronic address: kopper@hendrix.edu.
Randall A
RA
Kopper
Department of Biology, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, AR 72032, USA. Electronic address: harper@hendrix.edu.
George R
GR
Harper
Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, AR 72032, USA. Electronic address: occidentalma@hendrix.edu.
Michael
M
Occidental
Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, AR 72032, USA. Electronic address: gamalievd@hendrix.edu.
Vlad
V
Gamalie
Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, AR 72032, USA. Electronic address: spradleytp@hendrix.edu.
Ples
P
Spradley
D000818:Animals; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology*; D017815:Elapidae / Q000378:metabolism*; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D054467:Phospholipases A2 / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013045:Species Specificity
D004546:Elapid Venoms; D011506:Proteins; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase
Coralsnake; Enzyme activity; Individual snake; Micrurus; Protein concentration; Venom regeneration