L-Amino acid oxidase from Naja naja oxiana venom

A new l-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) was isolated from the Central Asian cobra Naja naja oxiana venom by size exclusion, ion exchange and hydrophobic chromatography. The N-terminal sequence and the internal peptide sequences share high similarity with other snake venom l-amino acid oxidases, especially with those isolated from elapid venoms. The enzyme is stable at low temperatures (− 20 °C, − 70 °C) and loses its activity by heating at 70 °C. Specific substrates for the isolated protein are l-phenylalanine, l-tryptophan, l-methionine and l-leucine. The enzyme has antibacterial activity inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. N. naja oxiana LAAO dose-dependently inhibited ADP- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation with IC₅₀ of 0.094 μM and 0.036 μM, respectively. The antibacterial and anti-aggregating activity was abolished by catalase.     

Sequencing and model structure of a Naja naja atra protein fragment.

We report the amino acid sequence of a basic protein isolated from the snake venom of Naja naja atra. An automated Edman sequencer was used to determine the 65-residue sequence, aided by electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry. Online reduction and pyridylethylation of the peptide was performed to identify the cysteine residues. Trypsin, chymotrypsin and aspartic digestions were carried out to derive peptide fragments for further sequencing. Fragmented peptides were overlapped to obtain the complete sequence. Molecular mass measurements of the whole protein and its fragments were used as a countercheck for sequence assignment. Further confirmation of the sequence was indicated by sequence homology to other snake venom neurotoxins. A molecular model of the tertiary structure was constructed based on sequence homology, and was refined by global minimization and extensive quality control algorithms. Electrostatic and hydrophobic surface calculations and molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to determine the functional properties of the molecule.     

Snake venom cardiotoxins and bee venom melittin activate phospholipase C activity in primary cultures of skeletal muscle

The effects of cardiotoxin fractions from Naja naja kaouthia and Naja naja atra snake venoms and synthetic melittin peptide were examined on lipolytic activity in red blood cells and primary skeletal muscle cultures. Both native cardiotoxin fractions caused considerable production of free fatty acids in red blood cells. This production was abolished when the fractions were first treated with p-bromophenacyl bromide to reduce the venom phospholipase A2 activity contamination. In equine and human primary cultures of skeletal muscle, the N. n. kaouthia cardiotoxin (10 microM) and melittin (2 microM) caused a breakdown of phospholipids and production of free fatty acids and diacylglycerol in the absence of lysophospholipid formation. Additionally, melittin at higher concentrations (10 microM) caused triglyceride breakdown. These studies do not support the suggestion that snake venom cardiotoxins and melittin selectively activate endogenous phospholipase A2 activity. Instead, the toxins primarily activate endogenous phospholipase C activity and, in the case of melittin at high concentrations, triglyceride lipase activity.     

The action of various venoms on Escherichia coli

The antibacterial activity of honeybee venom ( Apis mellifera ), three snake venoms ( Naja naja sputatrix, Vipera russellii and Crotalus adamanteus ) and the polypeptide melittin was investigated against Escherichia coli . Minimum inhibitory concentration values, cell lysis and alterations in cell permeability were determined and action against E. coli was in the order: A. mellifera venom > melittin > N. naja sputatrix venom ≫ V. russellii venom > C. adamanteus venom. Cellular damage by A. mellifera and N. naja sputatrix venoms was evident in electron micrographs.     

The action of various venoms on Escherichia coli

The antibacterial activity of honeybee venom (Apis mellifera), three snake venoms (Naja naja sputatrix, Vipera russellii and Crotalus adamanteus) and the polypeptide melittin was investigated against Escherichia coli. Minimum inhibitory concentration values, cell lysis and alterations in cell permeability were determined and action against E. coli was in the order: A. mellifera venom greater than melittin greater than N. naja sputatrix venom much greater than V. russellii venom greater than C. adamanteus venom. Cellular damage by A. mellifera and N. naja sputatrix venoms was evident in electron micrographs.     

眼镜蛇毒对成年大鼠下托Nestin表达的影响

目的 探讨眼镜蛇毒对成年大鼠下托巢蛋白（Nestin）阳性神经细胞表达的影响.方法 采用免疫组织化学方法,观察并比较Nestin阳性细胞在眼镜蛇毒组、生理盐水组、正常对照组大鼠下托的表达.结果 眼镜蛇毒组大鼠下托Nestin阳性神经细胞比生理盐水组、正常对照组表达明显增强（P〈0.01）.结论眼镜蛇毒对大鼠下托Nestin表达有上调作用.     

眼镜蛇毒对大鼠脑桥网状核c-fos表达的影响

目的 探讨眼镜蛇毒对大鼠脑桥网状核c-fos阳性神经元表达的影响.方法 采用免疫组织化学方法,观察并比较c-fos阳性神经元在眼镜蛇毒组、生理盐水组、正常对照组大鼠脑桥网状核的表达.结果 眼镜蛇毒组大鼠脑桥网状核c-fos阳性神经元比生理盐水组、正常对照组表达明显增强(P<0.05).结论眼镜蛇毒对大鼠脑桥网状核c-f...     

眼镜蛇毒对大鼠弓状核nNOS表达的影响

目的探讨眼镜蛇毒对大鼠弓状核神经元型一氧化氮合酶(neuronal nitric oxide synthase,nNOS)表达的影响。方法采用免疫组织化学方法分别显示眼镜蛇毒组、生理盐水组和正常对照组弓状核的nNOS表达。结果与生理盐水组和正常对照组相比,眼镜蛇毒组弓状核nNOS阳性神经元数量明显减少,细胞平均灰度值明显升高(P0.05)。结论眼镜蛇毒能够使大鼠弓状核nNOS表达降低。     

眼镜蛇毒对成年大鼠海马CA3区Nestin表达的影响

目的探讨眼镜蛇毒对成年大鼠海马CA3区巢蛋白(Nestin)阳性细胞表达的影响。方法采用免疫组织化学方法,观察并比较Nestin阳性细胞在眼镜蛇毒组、生理盐水组、正常对照组大鼠海马CA3区的表达。结果眼镜蛇毒组大鼠海马CA3区Nestin阳性细胞较生理盐水组、正常对照组表达明显增强(P0.01)。结论眼镜蛇毒对成年大鼠海马CA3区Nestin表达有上调作用。     

Effects of Lonomia obliqua caterpillar venom upon the proliferation and viability of cell lines

Many active principles produced by animals, plants and microorganisms have been employed in the development of new drugs for the treatment of human diseases. Among animals known to produce pharmacologically active molecules that interfere in human cell physiology, the caterpillar Lonomia obliqua has become the focus of toxicological studies due to recent findings about its venom constituents. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L. obliqua venom upon the viability and the proliferation of different cell lineages and to propose mechanisms for the herein observed induction of cell proliferation in glioma cell lines. MTT analyses indicate that L. obliqua venom increases the viability of tumor cell lines U138-MG and HT-29; on the other hand, it inhibits the viability of V-79 nontumor cells. Cell count based on the trypan blue exclusion method suggests a proliferating activity of the venom upon U138-MG cells. Exposure of U138-MG to crude venom extract led to a decrease in the production of nitric oxide, and activation of the cAMP signaling pathway inhibited the effects of the venom, indicating that these mechanisms may influence cell proliferation triggered by the venom. Despite the proliferative effects of crude venom on U138-MG and HT-29 cell cultures, a protein purified from L. obliqua hemolymph previously shown to have cytoprotective activity had no effect on U138-MG and HT-29; however, this same protein increased the viability of V-79 cells that had previously been exposed to the cytotoxic activity of the crude venom extract. This study indicates that the venom and the antiapoptotic protein act differently and have different effects on cell cultures, depending on the cell line analyzed. Biomolecules displaying either mitogenic or cytotoxic activities are of great biotechnological interest. Further studies encompassing the purification of active principles from L. obliqua venom are necessary to further elucidate its effects on different cell types.     

眼镜蛇毒对大鼠延髓c-fos表达的影响

目的 探讨眼镜蛇毒对大鼠延髓c-fos表达的影响.方法 采用免疫组织化学方法,观察并比较c-fos阳性细胞在眼镜蛇毒组、生理盐水组、正常对照组大鼠延髓中的表达.结果 眼镜蛇毒组大鼠延髓外侧网状核c-fos阳性细胞明显多于生理盐水组和正常对照组(P＜0.01).结论 眼镜蛇毒对大鼠延髓c-fos表达有上调作用.     

Evidence for existence of venom 5' nucleotidase in multiple forms through inhibition of concanavalin A

Pharmacologically active 5' nucleotidase is a ubiquitously distributed enzyme in snake venoms. In this study the effect of concanavalin A (Con-A) on different snake venoms 5' nucleotidase activity is tested in order to know the protein nature which will ultimately help in purification of the enzyme with high yield. Con-A inhibited Naja naja, Naja kauthia, Naja melanoleuca, Naja naja sputatrix, Agistrodon halys blomhoffii, Bothrops asper and Oxyranus scutellas venom 5' nucleotidase activity at different concentrations. This indicates the presence of glycopart in the protein, thus glycoprotein in nature. Vipera russellii, Vipera plaestenae, Agistrodon contratrix, Bitis orientis, Echis carinatus and Trimeresures malabaricus was not inhibited by Con-A, indicating absence of glycopart in the protein. This study for the first time shows existence of 5' nucleotidase in multimeric forms.     

眼镜蛇毒对大鼠丘脑网状核c-fos表达的影响

目的探讨眼镜蛇毒对大鼠丘脑网状核c-fos阳性神经元表达的影响。方法采用免疫组织化学方法观察并比较c-fos阳性神经元在眼镜蛇毒组、生理盐水组、正常对照组大鼠丘脑网状核的表达。结果眼镜蛇毒组大鼠丘脑网状核c-fos阳性神经元比生理盐水组、正常对照组表达明显增强(P0.01)。结论眼镜蛇毒对大鼠丘脑网状核c-fos表达有上调作用。     

眼镜蛇毒对大鼠脊髓c-fos表达的影响

目的探讨眼镜蛇毒对大鼠脊髓c-fos表达的影响。方法采用免疫组织化学方法,观察并比较c-fos阳性细胞在眼镜蛇毒组、生理盐水组、正常对照组大鼠脊髓中的表达。结果眼镜蛇毒组大鼠脊髓内c-fos阳性细胞明显多于生理盐水组和正常对照组。结论眼镜蛇毒对大鼠脊髓c-fos表达有上调作用。     

Purification and Characterization of Antioxidant Peptides from Oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) Hydrolysate and the Anticancer Activity of Hydrolysate on Human Colon Cancer Cell Lines

The focus of the study was to investigate antioxidant activity and characterize antioxidant peptides from oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) protein hydrolysate. The protease hydrolysate of oyster exhibited strong potential to donate hydrogen and was able to scavenge Hydrogen peroxide, Hydroxyl and DPPH radicals. Due to the high antioxidant potential, hydrolysate was purified in Sephadex G-25 gel filtration chromatography. The active peptide fraction was further purified by UPLC-MS. Totally seven antioxidant peptides were collected. Among seven peptides (SCAP 1–7), three peptides (SCAP 1, 3 and 7) had highest scavenging ability on DPPH radicals. The amino acid sequence and molecular mass of purified antioxidant peptides (SCAP1, SCAP3 and SCAP7) were determined by Q-TOF ESI mass spectroscopy and structures of the peptides were Leu-Ala-Asn-Ala-Lys (MW = 515.29 Da), Pro-Ser-Leu-Val-Gly-Arg-Pro–Pro-Val-Gly-Lys-Leu-Thr-Leu (MW = 1,432.89 Da) and Val-Lys-Val-Leu-Leu-Glu-His-Pro-Val-Leu (MW = 1,145.75 Da), respectively. The oyster hydrolysate was tested for cell cytotoxicity on Vero (kidney epithelial cells of the African Green Monkey) and HT-29 (human colon carcinoma) cell lines. It was found that the hydrolysate did not show any cytotoxic effect for Vero cell lines and exerted a significant cytotoxic effect on HT-29 cell lines. We thus conclude that the anticancer and antioxidative hydrolysate from oyster (S. cucullata) may be useful ingredients in food and nutraceutical applications.     

Neutralization of cobra venom by cocktail antiserum against venom proteins of cobra (Naja naja naja)

Naja naja venom was characterized by its immunochemical properties and electrophoretic pattern which revealed eight protein bands (14 kDa, 24 kDa, 29 kDa, 45 kDa, 48 kDa, 65 kDa, 72 kDa and 99 kDa) by SDS-PAGE in reducing condition after staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue. The results showed that Naja venom presented high lethal activity. Whole venom antiserum or individual venom protein antiserum (14 kDa, 29 kDa, 65 kDa, 72 kDa and 99 kDa) of venom could recognize N. naja venom by Western blotting and ELISA, and N. naja venom presented antibody titer when assayed by ELISA. The neutralization tests showed that the polyvalent antiserum neutralized lethal activities by both in vivo and in vitro studies using mice and Vero cells. The antiserum could neutralize the lethal activities in in-vivo and antivenom administered after injection of cobra venom through intraperitoneal route in mice. The cocktail antiserum also could neutralize the cytotoxic activities in Vero cell line by MTT and Neutral red assays. The results of the present study suggest that cocktail antiserum neutralizes the lethal activities in both in vitro and in vivo models using the antiserum against cobra venom and its individual venom proteins serum produced in rabbits.     

Mesomeric form of quaternary indoloquinazoline alkaloid and other constituents from the Cameroonian Rutaceae Araliopsis soyauxii Engl.

A mesomeric form of quaternary indoloquinazoline alkaloid, soyauxinium chloride (1) was obtained through the chemical investigation of stem bark and roots of Araliopsis soyauxii Engl. [syn. Vepris soyauxii (Engl.) Mziray] (Rutaceae) together with fifteen known compounds, including three furoquinoline alkaloids, three 2-quinolones, two limonoids, two triterpenes, two steroids, a coumarin, an acridone alkaloid, and a flavonoid glycoside. Their structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses (1D and 2D NMR, ESI-HR-MS) and by comparison with previously reported data. ¹³C NMR data of araliopsinine are also reported here for the first time. The isolated compounds were screened in vitro for their effects on the viability of two different human cancer cell lines, namely prostate PC-3 adenocarcinoma cells and colorectal HT-29 adenocarcinoma cells. However, none of the tested compounds exhibited strong anti-proliferative or cytotoxic activities, to either prostate PC-3 cells or colon HT-29 cells. At 100 μM, the furoquinoline maculine showed a slightly increased anti-proliferative effect, however, exclusively on HT-29 cells. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds has also been discussed.     

Toxicities, LD50 prediction and in vivo neutralisation of some elapid and viperid venoms.

Toxicity levels of elapid (Naja naja and Naja oxiana) viperid (Vipera lebetina and Vipera russelli) venoms for mice and rat for intraperitoneal intravenous and intramuscular routes have been determined. The data have been analysed using a mathematical expression to calculate lethal venom concentrations in human snake bite cases. Further, in vivo neutralisation of snake venom potency (after experimental injection) using high voltage-low current electric shock treatment has been attempted. This treatment postponed the death further by 60-90 min in mice in case of elapid envenomation. In case of viperid envenomation such a postponement of death time was not noticed. The death postponement induced by the shock treatment probably refers to structural impairments that occur at molecular level in venom components and their consequent altered interactions with the target tissue or system.     

眼镜蛇毒对成年大鼠齿状回Nestin表达的影响

目的探讨眼镜蛇毒对成年大鼠齿状回巢蛋白（Nestin）免疫反应阳性表达的影响。方法将24只成年SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、生理盐水组、眼镜蛇毒组,每组8只。采用SABC免疫组织化学染色法观察齿状回Nestin的表达。结果与正常对照组、生理盐水组相比较,眼镜蛇毒组齿状回Nestin免疫反应阳性表达明显增强（P〈0.01）。结论眼镜蛇毒对成年大鼠齿状回Nestin的表达有上调作用,可能与促进内源性神经干细胞增殖有关。