Partial primary structure of a fibrinogenase from the venom of the snake Lachesis stenophrys.

The partial primary structure of an Mr 24,000 non-haemorrhagic metalloproteinase isolated from the venom of the snake Lachesis stenophrys has been determined. The native proteinase was resistant to Edman degradation exhibiting the N-terminal blockade. The pyridylethylated or native proteinase was chemically and enzymatically fragmented and the obtained peptides were separated by gel or reversed-phase chromatography, and sequenced. The metalloproteinase from Lachesis stenophrys contains a putative zinc-chelating sequence HELGHNLGMKH, characteristic for the reprolysin family of zinc-metalloproteinases. It contains six cysteine residues in the standard positions for this group of proteins suggesting the same disulfide bonding. Interestingly, it has almost identical sequence as the metalloproteinase from Lachesis muta muta, LHF-II, which is, however, haemorrhagic. The main structural differences between the two molecules were found in their N-terminal parts and in glycosylation. As the substrate-binding regions of both proteinases are practically identical, we suggest that the absence of haemorrhagicity in Lachesis stenophrys enzyme is due to its lower affinity for the matrix proteins and not due to different substrate specificity.

[Cardiovascular alterations induced by the venom of Lachesis muta (serpentes: Viperidae) and its fibrinogenolitic enzyme]. / Alteraciones cardiovasculares inducidas por el veneno de Lachesis muta (Serpentes: Viperidae) y por su enzima fibrinogenolítica.

The fibrinogenolytic activity of Lachesis muta stenophyrs venom was studied. Wistar rats catheterized at carotid artery and jugular vein were inoculated with crude venom or enzyme and changes in arterial pressure, cardiac frequency and electrocardiogram were monitored. The enzyme induced a greater fibrinogen reduction than the crude venom without any cardiovascular or histological alteration. In vitro crude venom coagulated blood whereas the enzyme reduced fibrinogen in 23%. Results suggest the potential use of the fibrinogenolytic enzyme as antithrombotic agent.

Amino acid sequence of a lectin-like protein from Lachesis muta stenophyrs venom.

The primary structure of the lectin-like protein from Lachesis muta stenophyrs venom was deduced from analysis of the N-terminus and the sequence of peptides obtained after digestion with trypsin, Arg-C enzyme, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and endoproteinase Asp-N. Peptides generated by cleavage of the lectin with cyanogen bromide and o-iodosobenzoic acid were also sequenced. Comparison of the complete 135 amino acid residues sequence with those of the lectin from the venom of Crotalus atrox, with platelet coagglutinin from Bothrops jararaca beta-fragment and with the anticoagulant B protein chain from Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom, revealed 92, 46 and 29% identity, respectively. Significant homology was also found with C-type carbohydrate-recognition domain-like structures from invertebrate and vertebrate lectins. To our knowledge, this is the second known primary structure of a lectin-like protein from snake venom.

A thrombin-like enzyme from bushmaster (Lachesis muta stenophyrs) venom.

The clotting enzyme (Stenoxobin), from the venom of Lachesis muta stenophyrs, was purified by gel chromatography on Bio-gel P-100 followed by agmatine CH-Sepharose-4B and FPLC on Mono Q column. By SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the mol. wt was found to be 37,000. The enzyme is a glycoprotein with 1.6 moles of sialic acid per mole of protein and has an average content of 7.0% of neutral carbohydrates. The clotting and esterolytic (BAEE) activities were 843 NIH units/mg and 60.1 +/- 1.2 OD225 ml/min/mg, respectively, and could not be inhibited by heparin or hirudin. Amino acid analysis revealed a low content of tryptophan and a high content of acid residues. Stenoxobin acts upon human fibrinogen by releasing consecutively fibrinopeptides A and B from the alpha- and beta-chains of fibrinogen.

Characterization of a proteolytic enzyme from Lachesis muta venom (Serpentes: Viperidae).

A proteolytic enzyme from L. muta stenophrys was isolated by gel filtration on Bio Gel P-100 followed by FPLC on MONO S column. The enzyme exhibited proteolytic activity toward casein, hemoglobin and fibrinogen with a pH optimum around 10. The activity was inhibited by EDTA while trypsin inhibitors were not inhibitory. It is a glycoprotein, Mr 14 kDa with a high content of Asp, Glu, and Leu residues and a low content of Cys and Trp. The protease is devoid of myotoxic, hemorrhagic, esterolytic and amidolytic activities. It lyses the alfa and beta chains of human fibrinogen and releases kinin from L.M.W. kininogen. No release of histamine was observed upon incubation with mast cells.

[Isolation, purification and characterization of a lectin from the seed of Erythrina costaricensis (Leguminosae)]. / Aislamiento, purificación y caracterización de una lectina de la semilla del poró, Erythrina costaricensis (Leguminosae).

A lectin was isolated from the crude extract prepared from the seeds of E. costaricensis. It was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 followed by DEAE-Sephadex A-50 chromatography. PAGE revealed only one protein band, while analytical isoelectric focusing revealed four bands. The protein is a dimer with M(r) 58kda not united by disulfide bridges. It is a glycoprotein with 6.5% of neutral sugars, stable at 70 degrees C and at a pH range between 2 to 10. The protein exhibited a non specific agglutination of human erythrocytes, nevertheless it differentiated between erythrocytes of animal origin, agglutinating those of rabbit and chicken and not those from horse, goat, sheep or rat. Galactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, lactose and EDTA are inhibitors while Ca++ and Mn++ acted as activators of the agglutination. No change in the blood pressure was observed when the lectin was intravenously injected in rats.

Aislamiento, purificación y caracterización de una lectina de la semilla del poró, Erythrina costaricensis (Leguminosae) / Isolation, purification and characterization of a lectin from the seed of Erythrina costaricensis (Leguminosae)

La lectina de la semilla de E. costaricensis se purificó a partir del extracto crudo mediante filtración por Sephadex G-100 y cromatografía por DEAE-Sephadex A-50. La electroforesis en gel de acrilamida (PAGE) demostró la presencia de una única banda proteica. El isoelectroenfoque analítico demostró la presencia de cuatro isolectinas. La masa relativa obtenida por filtración en Sephadex fue de 58 KDa y por PAGE en condiciones reductoras de 29.5 KDa. La proteína es fundamentalmente un dímero no unido por enlaces disulfuro, con un contenido de 6.5% de azúcares neutros. Es estable hasta 70-C y en un àmbito de pH de 2 a 10. Aglutina indistintamente los eritrocitos humanos y diferencia entre eritrocitos de origen animal, aglutinando los de conejo y pollo y no los de caballo, cabra, carnero ni rata. La galactosa N-acetil-galactosamina, lactosa y el EDTA inhiben su acción aglutinante, los iones calcio y mangneso son activadores. No se encontró efecto vasopresor al inyectar la lectina itravenosamente en ratas

Characterization of a lectin-like protein isolated from Lachesis muta snake venom.

A lectin-like protein was isolated from L. muta venom by gel filtration on BIO Gel P-100 followed by column Chromatography on DEAE-sephades A-50. The protein eluted at 0.4 M Nacl in 0.01 Tris pH 7.3 and exhibited agglutinin activity toward 0+ human erythrocytes. The protein is a dimer with Mr 28 kDa. Amino acid analysis revealed high content of tryptophan and acid recidues and low content of cysteine and methionine residues. No neutral carbohydrates and sialic acid were detected. Circular dichroic spectrum shows 78% of B structure and 1% of alpha structure. In vitro experiments with erythrocytes from rat, rabbit and dog revealed strong agglutination while red blood cells from mice, sheep and goat were not agglutinated. In vivo experiments using anesthetized rats, a sharp and prolonged fall in the blood pressure was observed at protein dose of 1.5 mg/kg. Double dose of protein caused the death of the animal.

Characterization of a lectin-like protein isolated from Lachesis muta snake venon

A lectin-like protein was isolated from L. muta venom by gel filtration on BIO Gel P-100 followed by column Chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-50. The protein eluted at 0.4 M NaCl in 0.01 Tris pH 7.3 and exhibited agglutinin activity toward 0**+ human erytrocytes. The protein is a dimer with Mr 28 kDa. Amino acid analysis revealed high content or tryptophan and acid recidues and low content of cysteine and methionine residues. No neural carbohydrates an sialic acid were detected. Circular dichroic spectrum shows 78% of B structure and 1% of alfa structure. In vitro experiments with ery throcytes from rat, rabbit and dog revealed strong agglutination while red blood cells from mice, sheep and goat were not agglutinated. In vivo experiments using non-anesthetized rats, a sharp and prolonged fall in the blood pressure was observed at protein dose of 1.5 mg/kg. Double dose of protein caused the death of the animal

Isolation and partial characterization of Lachesis muta melanocephala coagulant proteinase: biochemical parameters of the venom.

The coagulant proteinase of L. m. melanocephala was purified by DEAE Sephadex A-50 followed by agmatine CH- Sepharose and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The enzyme exhibited many of the properties ascribed to "mudasa", the coagulant proteinase from L. m. stenophirs venom. Its molecular weight by gel filtration was 35 kDa and its specific clotting activity was 702 NIH/mg of protein. A 32 fold increase in the clotting activity was obtained by purification. The coagulant proteinase exhibited esterolytic activities toward lysine and arginine esters as well as amidolytic activity. Significant differences are observed when compared with the activities of "mudasa", the former is less esterolytic and amidolytic, although its activity toward TLEME is higher. Significant differences in the activities are also observed when the venom from the Pacific and Atlantic L. muta populations (corresponding to the subspecies L. m. melanocefala and L. m. stenophyrs) are compared toward the same substrates. The Pacific type is less amidolytic and more esterolytic toward BAME and BAEE, although toward the lysine and tyrosine esters no significant differences are observed. The venom from the Pacific population is more coagulant and less proteolytic than the venom from the Atlantic population. Analytical isoelectric focusing of both populations of venom revealed important differences in the number and intensity of the protein bands. The results here given further substantiate the taxonomical differentiation already given to the Pacific and Atlantic Costa Rican population of L. muta.

Isolation and partial characterization of Lachesis muta melanocephala coagulant proteinase: biochemical parameters of the venom

The coagulant proteinase of L. m. melanocephala was purified by DEAE Sephadex A-50 followed by agmatine CH- Sepharose and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The enzyme exhibited m,any of the properties adscribed to -mudasa-, the coagulant proteinase from L. m. stenophirs venom. Its molecular weight by gel filtration was 35 kDa and its specific clotting activity was 702 NIH/mg of protein. A 32 fold increase in the clotting was obtained by purification. The coagulant proteinase exibited esterolytic activities toward lysine and arginine esters as well as amidolytic. Significant differences are observed when compared with the activities of -mudasa-, the former is less esterolytic, although its activity toward TLEME is higher. Significant differences in the activities are also observed when the venom from the Pacific and Atlantic L. muta populations (corresponding to the subspecies L.m. melanocefala and L.m. Stenophyrs) are compared toward the same substrates. The Pacific type is less amidolytic and more esterolytic toward BAME and BAEE, although toward the lysine and tyrosine esters no significant differences are observed. The venon from the Pacific populations is more coagulant and less proteolytic than the venom from the Atlantic population. Analytical isoelectric focusing of both populations of venom revealed important differences in the number and intensity of the protein bands. The results here given further substantiate the taxonomical differentiation already given to the Pacific and Atlantic Costa Rican population of L. muta.

Characterization of a metallo-proteinase from Bothrops asper (terciopelo) snake venom.

Metalloproteinase from the venom of Bothrops asper (proteinase G) is a glycoprotein with 1% neutral hexose and 3.5 moles of sialic acid per mole of protein. It hydrolyses a number of protein substrates such as casein, hemoglobin, gelatin and fibrinogen, whose alpha chain is degraded preferentially. The pH optimum of hydrolysis of casein is approximately 9.5. The protease is devoid of hemorraghic, esterolytic and amidolytic activities. The proteolytic activity of the enzyme increases by about 20% in the presence of 0.2 mM Ca2+ and Mg2+. Among the other ions tested, only Cd2+ and Fe2+ markedly decreased its activity. EDTA and cysteine are also strong inhibitors. In the presence of Ca2+ and EDTA, Zn2+ ions restored 50% of the activity. The amino acid composition shows fewer acidic residues than in related proteinases from other snake venoms.

Purification and some properties of hemagglutinating protein mutina from bushmaster Lachesis muta snake venom.

Lachesis muta snake venom induced aggregation of bromelain sensitized human erythrocytes at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. The hemagglutinating protein was purified by DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed at least three bands, whereas SDS electrophoresis in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol showed a single one. Isoelectric focusing revealed hemagglutinating activity in the range of pH 3-8. The maximum peak (mutina) at pH 5.5. This fraction was active in agglutinating human RBC of types A, B, O Rh (+) and B, O Rh (-). One mM EDTA and 1 mM Ca++ did not alter the agglutinating time significantly. Lactose and inositol inhibited the agglutination of A, B, O Rh (+) and B, O Rh (-) human RBC. The present study showed the non specificity of the hemagglutinating activity of mutina. It was also shown that mutina is a non-mitogenic protein.

Purification and properties of a coagulant proteinase isolated from bushmaster (Lachesis muta) venom (Serpentes: Viperidae).

The venom of Lachesis muta is a rich source of a thrombin-like enzyme. Its coagulant proteinase was purified by DEAE -Sephadex A -50 followed by agmatine CH -Sepharose and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.4 a single band was observed. Its molecular weight by gel filtration was 49,000. The coagulant and esterolytic activities toward human fibrinogen and Tame of the inudasa were 662 NIH units/mg of protein and 4.37 delta OD225/min x 10(-3)/micrograms/ml, respectively. These values represent 23 and 5.7 fold increase over the crude venom. The enzyme mudasa, was evaluated with serum from human patients at Hospital Nacional de Niños Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera and found to be a valuable reagent for the quantification of fibrinogen on heparinized plasma.