Snake venoms facilitate the digestion of prey and are used for self-defense. Venom is a complex mixture consisting of many different enzymes. Proteases carry out the hydrolysis of proteins. Different snake species possess different proteases; some of which hydrolyze soluble protein substrates and others that hydrolyze insoluble protein substrates. By using soluble and insoluble chromogenic substrates for proteolytic enzymes, the activities of these proteases can be measured. The results will show the relative activities of these proteolytic enzymes in rattlesnake, copperhead and coralsnake venoms. Zymography will then be used to determine which protein bands in the electrophoretic profile of the venoms corresponded to the protease activity.

Comparison of venom proteases between snake species

251st National Meeting (2016)

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