Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-2-20
pubmed:abstractText
We identified the presence of a range of proteolytic enzyme types, normally associated with the process of general intracellular protein catabolism in mammalian tissues, in venom samples from several species of snake and from three subspecies of Russell's viper. Although levels of protease activity in venoms were in general substantially lower than corresponding levels in mammalian tissues, activity levels were comparable with several other classes of enzyme normally considered as significant venom components. Based on the protease types and relative levels of activity present in venom samples, we suggest that a possible function of these enzymes (in addition to their generally held function to increase target tissue permeability to other venom components) may be to interfere with the process of neurotransmission in target tissues, via degradation of neurotransmitter/neuromodulatory oligopeptides; this may be particularly the case for proteases such as leucyl aminopeptidase, the activity of which is greater in some venom types than in mammalian tissues. For the purposes of inter- and intra-species taxonomic classification of snakes, we would suggest that determination of a comprehensive venom protease profile may be of considerable value (particularly for subspecies differentiation) either in conjunction with or in place of more conventionally applied techniques such as analytical electrophoresis.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
1096-4959
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
113
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
199-204
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
Comparison of protease and related enzyme activities in snake venoms.
pubmed:affiliation
Muscular Dystrophy Group Research Laboratories, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't