Proteolytic activity of Elapid and Viperid Snake venoms and its implication to digestion. 2010

Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin

Testing whether venoms may aid in digestion of the prey, eleven snake venoms were compared for the presence of proteases and endopeptidases that function in alkaline pH conditions. In vitro experiments examined the relative protease and endopeptidase activity of the venoms, which involved combining bovine muscle and snake venom in a buffered solution, encased within dialysis tubing. This mixture was then incubated at room temperature (∼20°C) for 24hr, with constant shaking. Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay and ninhydrin assay were used to determine peptide and amino acid concentrations. Histological and immunohistochemical investigations using N. kaouthia venom confirmed in vitro findings. Results show that B. arietans venom generated the highest amount of protein/peptides and amino acids in the dialysates, while O. scutellatus, N. ater niger and P. textilis venom did not show any significant protein degradation under alkaline conditions. Histological examination revealed varying degrees of muscle cell damage for each of the venom investigated, and the immunohistochemical study on N. kaouthia venom showed that the venom penetrated the muscle tissue to a significant degree. In vitro assays and histological results indicate that particular venoms may possess the ability to enhance digestion of bovine muscle tissue.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
July 1994, British journal of pharmacology,
Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
December 1992, Indian journal of experimental biology,
Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
May 2024, PLoS neglected tropical diseases,
Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
September 2002, Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology,
Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
January 1974, Journal of agricultural and food chemistry,
Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
February 1973, Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology,
Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
June 2007, Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology,
Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
July 1984, British journal of pharmacology,
Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
December 2018, Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology,
Joshua L Bottrall, and Frank Madaras, and Christopher D Biven, and Michael G Venning, and Peter J Mirtschin
June 1966, Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!