Biological activities of Synanceja horrida (stonefish) venom. |
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Authors: | H E Khoo R Yuen C H Poh C H Tan |
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Affiliation: | Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore. |
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Abstract: | Some biological and neurochemical properties of the venom of stonefish (Syanceja horrida) were investigated. The venom exhibited oedema-inducing, haemolytic, hyaluronidase, thrombin-like, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, 5' nucleotidase, acetylcholinesterase, phosphodiesterase, arginine esterase, and arginine amidase activities. Recalcification clotting time, prothrombin, and kaolin-cephalin clotting times were increased 1.7-2.3- and 2.4-fold respectively. The LD50 (i.v. mouse) was 300 micrograms/Kg. Its effects on uptake and stimulation of neurotransmitter synthesis and release were observed in rat brain synaptosomes. In the presence of 100 micrograms venom, uptake of [methyl-3H] choline in rat brain synaptosomes was inhibited 70%, while that of 4-amino-n-[U-14C] butyric acid was inhibited 20%. The toxin also stimulated the release of [3H]-acetylcholine from the synaptosomes. |
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