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Phospholipase a properties of several snake venom preparations
Author(s) -
Nutter L. J.,
Privett O. S.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/bf02531612
Subject(s) - chemistry , hydrolysis , bothrops , lecithin , venom , glyceride , fatty acid , chromatography , phospholipase , snake venom , biochemistry , fatty acid ester , organic chemistry , enzyme
The hydrolytic properties of the venoms of seven species of snakes, Crotalus adamanteus, Ancistrodon contortrix, Naja naja, Bothrops atrox, Ophiophagus hannah, Crotalus atrox and Vipera russeli , were studied with purified lecithins and mixtures of lecithins of known fatty acid and class composition as substrates. The relative rates of hydrolysis of the fatty acids by the above venoms were studied by analysis of the products of the reaction at intervals during the course of the reaction. Of the seven venoms studied, that of Ophiophagus hannah was the only one which did not give some degree of preferential rate of hydrolysis of individual fatty acids. In general, saturated fatty acids were liberated faster than unsaturated fatty acids; differences in the rates of the hydrolysis of individual saturate and unsaturated fatty acids were also observed. Individual classes of lecithin were also hydrolyzed at different rates. For the determination of the distribution of the fatty acids between the α‐ and β‐position of lecithin, the reaction should be carried to completion. If the reaction requires a prolonged time to go to completion, it should be carried out under nitrogen to prevent autoxidation.