Central Asian cobra venom cytotoxins-induced aggregation, permeability and fusion of liposomes

The processes of membrane aggregation, permeability and fusion induced by cytotoxins from Central Asian cobra venom were investigated by studying optical density of liposome samples, permeability of liposome membranes for ferricyanide anions and exchange of lipid material between the membranes of adjacent liposomes. Cytotoxins Vc5 and Vc1 were found to induce aggregation of PC + CL and PC + PS liposomes. Cytotoxin Vc5 increased also the permeability of the liposomes for K3Fe(CN)6] and enhanced their fusion. Cytotoxin Vc1 increased membrane permeability and enhanced fusion of PC + CL samples only. The changes in membrane permeability and fusion were found to occur within a single value of cytotoxin concentrations. The fusogenic properties of the cytotoxins studied are supposed to be due to the ability to dehydrate membrane surface and to destabilize the lipid bilayer structure. Fusion probability is largely defined by the phospholipid composition of the membranes. A model of interaction of cytotoxins with cardiolipin-containing membranes is offered.