J R. Kumar
JSS University, India
Title: Target specific toxic PLA2s and PLA2 complexes from Russell’s viper venom
Biography
Biography: J R. Kumar
Abstract
The snake venom is an mixture of toxic and nontoxic proteins. The toxic proteins include enzymatic and non enzymatic proteins. The main toxic enzymes are PLA2s and PLA2 containing toxic complexes, hemorrhagic proteases and hyluradinases. Among all enzymes PLA2s are well studied in terms of structure, function and mechanism of pharmacological action. Most of toxic PLA2s are basic in nature and target specific. The well studied viper snake venom PLA2s from Indian origin are VRV-PL-V, VRV-PL-VIII, VRV-PL-VI, VRV-PL-VII and VRV-PL-IX. The VRV-PL-V and VRV-PL-VIII are major toxic PLA2 from southern region Russell’s viper venom. VRV-PL-V is neurotoxic and VRV-PL-VIII induces hemorrhage in the lungs. VRV-PL-VI from northern region India causes hemorrhage in pituitary gland and peritoneal cavity. VRV-PL-VII and VRV-PL-IX are neurotoxic PLA2 from western region India. VRV-PL-IX is presynaptic, VRV-PL-VII and VRV-PL-V (Southern, India) are exhibited pre and post synaptic neurotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons through NMDA and nonNMDA receptors. This is the first report from the snake venom PLA2s having both pre and post synaptic neurotoxicity. Furthermore A novel heterotrimeric toxic complex “Reprotoxin” isolated from western region Russell’s viper venom, having PLA2, protease and trypsin inhibitor peptide. It is target specific to Male and female reproductive system affecting Leydig and sertoli cells in males and Follicles in females.