Biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of a fibrinolytic enzyme from Agkistrodon halys Pallas venom in Jiangzhe region

Xuerong ZHANG; Zhenbo ZHANG; Yuyan SHU; Yi MENG; Haitao LIU

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

A fibrinolytic enzyme (FLE) was purified from the venom of Agkistrodon blomhoffi brevicaudus by ion-exchange chromatography;meanwhile, it can dissolve thrombotic anti-thrombus drugs during onset of myocardial infarction and apoplexy.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the purification of FLE from the venom of Agkistrodon blomhoffi brevicaudus and research some biochemical and pharmacological characterizations.

DESIGN:

Controlled observational study.

SETTING:

Snake Venom Research Institute, Guangxi Medical University.MATERIALS The experiment was carried out in Snake Venom Research Institute of Guangxi Medical University from July 2003 to June 2005.Kunming mice, weighing 18-25 g, of mean body mass of (20±2) g, aged 3-4 months were provided by Experimental Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University. Agkistrodon blomhoffi brevicaudus was supplied by Snake Venom Research Institute of Guangxi Medical University.

METHODS:

FLE was purified with DEAE Sepharose CL-6B ion exchang columns and HiPrep Sephacryl S 100; purity and relative molecular mass were measured with high-effective chromatograph of liquid and polyacrylamidedel electrophoresis (PAGE); isoelectric point was measured with isoelectric focusing electrophoresis; and then, components and partially pharmacological characteristics were also measured.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

Relative molecular mass, conformation of isoelectric point and amino acid, effect of inhibitor on FLE, hemorrhagic activity, and anticoagulant effect of FLE.

RESULTS:

All 30 rats and 12 rabbits were involved in the final analysis.Relative molecular mass was 59 100 and isoelectric point was 4.98. SDSPAGE acted as a zone in vitro. High-effective chromatograph of liquid showed a simple peak of FLE. This group belonged to metallo proteinases.Analysis of components of amino acid suggested that it contained a lot of acidity amino acids, had mild hemorrhagic toxicity and strongly thrombolytic effect.

CONCLUSION:

A simple acidity metallo proteinases, which is characterized by mild hemorrhagic toxicity and strong anti-coagulation, can be purified from the venom of Agkistrodon blomhoffi brevicaudus.