Characterization of polypeptide neurotoxins from the venom of Bungarus caeruleus

The venom of the krait Bungarus caeruleus has been fractionated into several components. Two of the basic components were highly toxic to mice and had significant levels of phospholipase A activity. These components appear to be similar in their action to the presynaptic neurotoxin β-bungarotoxin. Two other components were toxic to mice and also reduced the rate of α-bungarotoxin binding to the purified acetylcholine receptor: These components appear to be postsynaptic neurotoxins similar to α-bungarotoxin. Two acidic components displayed A-type phospholipase activity and perturbed the carbamylcholine binding properties of acetylcholine receptor-rich membrane preparations.