Premium
The role of acetic acid in the prevention of salt‐induced aggregation of snake venom cardiotoxins
Author(s) -
Sivaraman T.,
Kumar T. K. S.,
Huang C. C.,
Yu C.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1080/15216549800201032
Subject(s) - cardiotoxin , cobra , elapidae , snake venom , acetic acid , venom , naja , chemistry , salt (chemistry) , biochemistry , organic chemistry , computer science , programming language
Abstract Snake venom cardiotoxins (CTXs) exhibit a strong tendency to aggregate upon desalting and hence it is extremely difficult to prepare salt‐free cardiotoxin(s). In the present study, we describe a new method for preparation of salt‐free CTX based on dialysis against acetic acid. Based on experimental observation and the three dimensional solution structure of cardiotoxin analogue III from the Taiwan cobra (Naja naja atra), a molecular mechanism for the prevention of aggregation of cardiotoxins by acetic acid is discussed. In our opinion, the results obtained in the present study would pave way for elucidating the structural basis for the broad spectrum of biological activities exhibited by snake venom cardiotoxins.