Identification of PLA2 and α-neurotoxin proteins in the venom of Pseudonaja affinis (dugite)

Abstract

The Western brown snake Pseudonaja affinis (dugite), common to the Perth area of Western Australia, possesses one of the most lethal venoms in the world. Little is known, however, about the toxic protein constituents of the venom, other than those causing coagulopathic and procoagulant effects. The current study was therefore undertaken in order to identify other protein constituents and activities present. Crude venom induced a contraction in rat tracheal preparations through phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity, as shown by the complete and partial inhibition of contraction by PLA2 inhibitors 4-bromophenacyl bromide and quinacrine. Further, a reduced degree of smooth muscle contraction in the ..