STUDIES ON HABU SNAKE VENOM

2. ENZYMIC STUDIES ON THE PROTEINASE OF HABU SNAKE VENOM

Abstract

1. The venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis contains two proteolytic enzymes; Hα and Hβ proteinases. Hα-proteinase was partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation.
2. Hα-proteinase was completely inhibited by cysteine, EDTA and antiserum.EDTA, cysteine and antiserum also inhibited Hβ-proteinase.
3. Hα-proteinase was able to bring about the drastic necrosis with hemorrhage, which was not differentiated histophthologically from that caused by the crude venom.
4. These necrotoxic effects of Hα-proteinase and crude venom were repressed by EDTA, cysteine and antiserum.