Comparative Study of Structure and Activity of Cytotoxins from Venom of the Cobras Naja oxiana, Naja kaouthia, and Naja haje

Cytotoxins are positively charged polypeptides that constitute about 60% of all proteins in cobra venom; they have a wide spectrum of biological activities. By CD spectroscopy, cytotoxins CT1 and CT2 Naja oxiana, CT3 Naja kaouthia, and CT1 and CT2 Naja haje were shown to have similar secondary structure in an aqueous environment, with dominating beta-sheet structure, and to vary in the twisting angle of the beta-sheet and the conformation of disulfide groups. Using dodecylphosphocholine micelles and liposomes, CT1 and CT2 Naja oxiana were shown to incorporate into lipid structures without changes in the secondary structure of the peptides. The binding of CT1 and CT2 Naja oxiana with liposomes was associated with an increase in the beta-sheet twisting and a sign change of the dihedral angle of one disulfide group. The cytotoxins were considerably different in cytotoxicity and cooperativity of the effect on human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL60, mouse myelomonocytic cells WEHI-3, and human erythroleukemic cells K562. The most toxic CT2 Naja oxiana and CT3 Naja kaouthia possessed low cooperativity of interaction (Hill coefficient h = 0.6-0.8), unlike 10-20-fold less toxic CT1 and CT2 Naja haje (h = 1.2-1.7). CT1 Naja oxiana has an intermediate position on the cytotoxicity scale and is characterized by h = 0.5-0.8. The cytotoxins under study induced necrosis of HL60 cells and failed to activate apoptosis. The differences in cytotoxicity are supposed to be related not with features of the secondary structure of the peptides, but with interactions of side chains of variable amino acid residues with lipids and/or membrane proteins.     

抗眼镜蛇毒血清对中华眼镜蛇伤大鼠保护的时效性研究

目的观察中华眼镜蛇伤后不同时期应用抗蛇毒血清对机体保护作用的差异,为探索临床抗蛇毒血清使用的最佳有效时段提供依据。方法将SD大鼠随机分成6组(蛇毒组、40、60、80、100、120 min血清保护组),每组30只。动物经戊巴比妥腹麻,于单侧背部皮下及双侧小腿腓肠肌注射眼镜蛇毒以制备中华眼镜蛇毒挑战剂量(4×LD50)大鼠模型,分5个不同时段分别注射抗蛇毒血清,于注毒后连续观察3 h,统计各组平均存活时间、成活率及保护率。结果蛇毒组大鼠注入挑战剂量的眼镜蛇毒后,平均存活时间为(148.8±11.4)min,成活率仅为20%;其他血清保护组分别于注毒后40、60、80、100、120 min经腹腔注射精制抗眼镜蛇毒血清(125 u血清/mg蛇毒),40 min血清组保护率达80%;60 min血清组存活率及保护率分别达到70%、50%,平均存活时间为(172.8±7.2)min,与蛇毒组相比有明显差异(P<0.01);而801、00 min血清组保护率依次下降,分别为40%、30%,但仍较蛇毒组显著提高(P<0.01);120 min血清组存活时间及保护率与蛇毒组比较差异无显著性。结论利用中华眼镜蛇毒挑战剂量大鼠模型,通过不同时段施予同剂量抗血清,可显示出明显的机体保护时效性,该研究为探讨临床正确使用抗蛇毒血清提供了新的实验依据。     

中华眼镜蛇毒组份的抗肿瘤研究进展

药物治疗是肿瘤治疗的一个重要组成部分,对抗肿瘤药物疗效的筛选评价是肿瘤基础和临床研究的重点之一。中华眼镜蛇毒（Naja Naia Actra Venom,N．N．A．V）一直是国内外抗肿瘤药物研究中的重点生物源毒素之一。本文作者就中华眼镜蛇毒组份抗肿瘤的研究,作一综述。     

Cytoarchitectonic pattern of the hypothalamus in the cobra,Naja naja

Summary The distribution and cytoarchitectonic pattern of the magno- and parvocellular hypothalamic nuclei of the cobra, Naja naja, are described at the light-microscopic level. With respect to their tinctorial affinity to paraldehyde fuchsin (AF) as a representative of the Gomori-type of stains, the magnocellular neurons belong to the AF-positive and the parvocellular neurons to the AF-negative elements. In addition to the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei proper, two accessory aggregations of magnocellular neurons, the nucleus retrochiasmaticus and nucleus circularis, can be identified. Although in a peculiar location, they may be regarded as subunits of the supraopticoparaventricular neurosecretory complex. As many as 22 AF-negative nuclear areas are identified in the hypothalamus of the cobra. The nucleus periventricularis hypothalami of earlier authors is subdivided into several circumscribed neuronal complexes. The nucleus arcuatus, nucleus hypothalamicus lateralis and nucleus lateralis recessus infundibuli are well developed. An attempt is made to interpret the significance of these nuclei on a comparative and phylogenetic basis.On leave from the Department of Zoology, Nagpur University, Nagpur, India     

眼镜蛇的人工驯养繁殖技术研究

目的研究眼镜蛇的驯养繁殖技术。为更有效地保护和利用我国宝贵的眼镜蛇类资源。方法在室外模拟野生眼镜蛇的生境．在室内以散养、箱养相结合．配备科研人员及各种先进设施;在驯养过程中观察眼镜蛇的生物学特性。总结驯养管理技术、经验及疾病防治。结果解决了眼镜蛇人工驯养繁殖的技术难题．如眼镜蛇自动采食、无冬眠、蛇病的防治、异地杂交提高眼镜蛇的质量及产量等。结论本研究结果达到了预期的目的,为大规模展开人工驯养繁殖眼镜蛇提供了可靠的理论依据。     

眼镜蛇咬伤生化特点分析

目的探讨眼镜蛇咬伤病例的生化特点,提高眼镜蛇咬伤的诊治水平。方法总结111例眼镜蛇咬伤的临床资料,对实验室检查的各生化指标进行统计分析。结果轻型102例,重型7例,危重型2例。血常规中白细胞升高,血小板计数正常,心肌酶学各指标升高,APTT,PT,BUN,Cr正常。RBC、Hb,PLT,FIB,PT、APTT,CK、CKMB、LDH在轻型组和重危型组中比较有显著变化。结论我国南方眼镜蛇咬伤以细胞毒表现最为突出,肾损害轻微、少见,凝血功能障碍不明显。心肌酶学变化显著,可作为诊断和观察病情的敏感指标。缩短就诊时间,及早处理,是改善预后的重要因素。     

Protective Effects of Hypothalamic Proline-Rich Peptide and Cobra Venom Naja Naja Oxiana on Dynamics of Vestibular Compensation Following Unilateral Labyrinthectomy

We tested the action of proline-rich peptide (PRP-1) and cobra venom Naja Naja Oxiana (NOX) on Deiters’ nucleus neurons at 3rd, 15th and 35th days after unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL). Early and late tetanic, post-tetanic potentiation and depression of Deiters’neurons to bilateral high frequency stimulation of hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricualar nuclei was studied. The analysis of spike activity was carried out by mean of on-line selection and special program. The complex averaged peri-event time and frequency histograms shows the increase of inhibitory and excitatory reactions of Deiters’ neurons at early stage of vestibular compensation following PRP-1 and NOX injection, reaching the norm at the end of tests. In histochemical study the changes in Ca²⁺-dependent acidic phosphatase (AP) activity in neurons was discovered. It was shown that in UL animals the total disappearance or delay of decolorizing of Deiters’ neurons lead to neurodegenerative pattern as cellular “shade”. AP activity after UL and PRP-1 injection exerts more effective recovery of neurons in comparison with events, observed after the administration of NOX. The data of this study indicate that PRP-1 and NOX are protectors, which may successfully recover the disturbed vestibular functions.     

Purification, characterization and primary structure of a chymotrypsin inhibitor from Naja atra venom

A chymotrypsin inhibitor, designated NA-CI, was isolated from the venom of the Chinese cobra Naja atra by three-step chromatography. It inhibited bovine alpha-chymotrypsin with a Ki of 25 nM. The molecular mass of NA-CI was determined to be 6403.8 Da by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis. The complete amino acid sequence was determined after digestion of S-carboxymethylated inhibitor with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and porcine trypsin. NA-CI was a single polypeptide chain composed of 57 amino acid residues. The main contact site with the protease (P1) has a Phe, showing the specificity of the inhibitor. NA-CI shared great similarity with the chymotrypsin inhibitor from Naja naja venom (identities=89.5%) and other snake venom protease inhibitors.     

Microangioarchitecture of the islets of Langerhans in the snakes,Naja naja,Vipera russelli,andEchis carinatus

Summary Due to a decided lack in the literature of reports on the microangioarchitecture of the pancreas of snakes, an analysis was performed in three different species of two different ophidian families with the use of cast preparations and complementary scanning electron microscopy. The vascular architecture reflects the lobular substructure of the pancreas; the organ is supplied by branches of the superior mesentric artery. Coiled lobular arteries and arterioles continue into a meshwork of capillaries. Dilated capillaries of the endocrine portion of the pancreas are an integral component of this fine capillary network. A few very small capillaries establish a connection between the endocrine and the exocrine pancreas. The other capillaries drain into venules, which ultimately join their respective veins. No interspecific differences were noted in the vascularization of the pancreas of the three ophidian species examined. The present results suggest the existence of arterio-venous anastomoses and speak against the presence of a portal system, but establish a feed-forward capillary connection from the endocrine to the exocrine component of the ophidian pancreas.     

Post-ovipositional development of the monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia (Serpentes: Elapidae)

External morphological development between oviposition and hatching of the monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia, is described. Ten developmental stages are diagnosed according to nine features. These include fusion of the body wall musculature along the ventral midline, appearance of the endolymphatic ducts, formation of the eyelid, and the appearance of scales on the head and body. Additional observations of the developing skull are made at four of these ten stages, based on cleared and stained heads.     

Purification of a Class B1 platelet aggregation inhibitor phospholipase A2 from Indian cobra (Naja Naja) venom

A platelet aggregation inhibitor phospholipase A(2) (NND-IV-PLA(2)) was isolated from Naja naja (Eastern India) venom by a combination of cation and anion exchange chromatography. NND-IV-PLA(2) is the most catalytically active enzyme isolated from the Indian cobra venom. The acidic PLA(2) profile of Eastern regional Indian cobra venom is distinctly different from that of the western regional venom. However the acidic PLA(2)s from both the regions follow the pattern of increasing catalytic activity with increase in acidic nature of the PLA(2) isoform. NND-IV-PLA(2) is a Class B1 platelet aggregation inhibitor and inhibits platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen and epinephrine. Modification of active site histidine abolishes both catalytic activity and platelet aggregation inhibition activities while aristolochic acid, a phospholipase A(2) inhibitor has only partial effect on the two activities.     

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.