Deoxyribonucleases of the Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) venom—II. Partial characterization and effects in vivo on insects and mammals

The presence of DNases in Oriental hornet venom sac extract and venom glands and their activity on invertebrates (bees) and vertebrates (mice and cats) were assessed. It was found that the DNase activity is greatest at neutral pH in the venom sacs and in the acid glands, with very little activity being demonstrated in the alkaline gland. Queen hornets showed greater DNase activity in their acid glands than in their sacs. Workers, on the other hand, showed greater activity in the venom sacs than in the glands. Bees, mice and cats, when injected with hornet venom, showed an increase in nucleic acids, but the onset of the appearance of the DNA degradation products varied with the species: in bees after 5 min, in mice after 7 hr and in cats after 24 hr.