Preliminary Fractionation of Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) Venom
Abstract
The crude venom had low protease activity, lacked hemolytic activity and had an ionization potential Lethal dose of 0.070 milligram/kilogram for mice. Lethal fractions obtained by anion and cation exchange were examined for antigenic identity with crotoxin and mojave toxin. Four toxins were obtained by anion exchange chromatography which showed immunoidentity with these toxins, and one fraction caused rear limb paresis in mice. A lethal toxin (about 10% of total venom protein) purified further with Superose-12 fast protein liquid chromatography (molecular sieve) had an i.p. LD50 of 0.050 milligram/kilogram for mice, reacted strongly with anti-crotoxin and anti-mojave toxin antiserum in Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoelectrophoresis. This toxin also showed complete immunoidentity with crotoxin and mojave toxin in immunodiffusion assays with anti-crotoxin antiserum. The results indicated the presence of crotoxin and/or mojave toxin isoforms in this venom. Although this species has a low venom yield (average 10 mg per snake), the venom is highly toxic and contains high concentrations of several neurotoxic isotoxins. (jg)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA218032
Entities
People
- Leonard A. Smith
- Scott A. Weinstein
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases