Comparative enzymatic composition of Brazilian coral snake (Micrurus) venoms

Comp Biochem Physiol B. 1991;99(2):287-94. doi: 10.1016/0305-0491(91)90043-d.

Abstract

1. Venoms of 11 coral snake taxa, including Micrurus albicinctus, M. corallinus, M. frontalis altirostris, M. f. brasiliensis, M. f. frontalis, M. fulvius fulvius, M. ibiboboca, M. lemniscatus ssp., M. randonianus, M. spixii spixii, and M. surinamensis surinamensis, were examined for 13 enzymatic activities. 2. These were compared with venoms of three outgroup taxa: Naja naja kaouthia, Bungarus multicinctus, and Bothrops moojeni. 3. Enzyme activity levels in Micrurus venoms were highly variable from species to species. 4. All venoms possessed phospholipase activity. 5. Protease activity against synthetic or dyed natural substrates was generally negligible in all elapid venoms examined. By contrast, most Micrurus venoms displayed ample L-leucine aminopeptidase activity. 6. Venom of M.s. surinamensis was significantly different from those of its congeners in most assays.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • Elapid Venoms*
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Snake Venoms / analysis*
  • Snakes*
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Elapid Venoms
  • Snake Venoms
  • micrurus venom
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases
  • Hydrolases
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • Endopeptidases