A potent platelet aggregation inhibitor purified from Agkistrodon halys (mamushi) snake venom

By means of gel filtration on Sephadex G-75, DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography and three gel filtrations on Sephadex G-75, a potent platelet aggregation inhibitor was purified from Agkistrodon halys snake venom and shown to be a single peptide chain, as judged by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified platelet aggregation inhibitor was an acidic protein with a molecular weight of 14,000 and possessed phospholipase A₂ activity. Its inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation was heat stable (at 96°C, 30 min) in an acidic medium (pH 5.5), while its phospholipase A enzymatic activity was heat labile under the same conditions. Its inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, sodium arachidonate, collagen or ionophore A-23187 was non-competitive and dose-dependent with a similar id₅₀ (～ 11 μg/ml). It exerted its inhibitory action without pre-incubation with platelet suspension, however, its inhibitory effect could be moderately increased after longer incubation (30 min).     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation by 5′-nucleotidase purified from Trimeresurus gramineus snake venom

By means of DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography and gel filtrations on Sephadex G-75, Sephacryl S-300 and Sephadex G-100, successively, a potent 5′-nucleotidase was purified from Trimeresurus gramineus venom. The venom 5′-nucleotidase is a single polypeptide chain and homogeneous as judged by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It is a thermostable glycoprotein consisting of 589 amino acid residues. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 74,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It possessed nucleotidase activities toward adenosine monophosphate and adenosine diphosphate. The specific activities toward AMP and ADP were 504 ± 28 and 101 ± 8 μg P_i/min per mg, respectively. Pre-incubation of this venom's 5′-nucleotidase with ADP resulted in the cleavage of ADP and formation of adenosine. The 5′-nucleotidase activity was inhibited by EDTA. Both Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺ reversed the inhibitory effect of EDTA.In rabbit platelet-rich plasma, it inhibited completely the ADP (2 × 10^-5 g/ml)-induced platelet aggregation. It also inhibited the platelet aggregations induced by sodium arachidonate (100 μM), collagen (20 μg/ml) and ionophore A-23187 (5 μM). In rabbit platelet suspensions, it inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by ADP (2 × 10^-5 g/ml), sodium arachidonate (100 μM) and low concentration of thrombin (0.03 U/ml). The collagen (20 μg/ml)- and ionophore A-23187 (5 μM)-induced platelet aggregations were not affected significantly by this venom 5′-nucleotidase. In ADP-refractory platelet-rich plasma, the venom 5′-nucleotidase inhibited the platelet aggregations induced by collagen (20 μg/ml) or sodium arachidonate (100 μM). The venom 5′-nucleotidase showed a more pronounced inhibitory effect on sodium arachidonate-induced platelet aggregation than creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase and apyrase did. No lactate dehydrogenase was released by this venom 5′-nucleotidase, indicating that no platelet lysis occurred. It is concluded that removal of ADP, which is released by these platelet aggregation inducers, and the subsequent accumulation of adenosine are responsible for the inhibitory effect of the venom 5′-nucleotidase on platelet aggregations.     

Effect of the purified phospholipases A2 from snake and bee venoms on rabbit platelet function

Effects of seven purified phospholipases A2 from the venoms of snakes (Naja naja atra, Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus and T. gramineus) and honey bee (Apis mellifera) on rabbit washed platelet suspension in the absence of bovine serum albumin have been studied. Only phospholipases A2 from N. n. atra, T. mucrosquamatus and A. mellifera venoms induced platelet aggregation with small amounts of 14C-serotonin release. They showed tachyphylaxis and also cross-tachyphylaxis in inducing platelet aggregation. The former two phospholipases A2 exhibited biphasic responses in which irreversible aggregations appeared at concentrations of 1-10 micrograms/ml. At higher concentrations, they elicited the reversible aggregation. Exogenous Ca2+ was essential to their activity. Indomethacin and EDTA completely abolished both phospholipase A2 induced platelet shape change and aggregation, while mepacrine, prostaglandin E1, verapamil and nitroprusside inhibited only the aggregation response. p-Bromophenacyl bromide-modified phospholipases A2, which almost completely lost enzymatic activity, failed to induce platelet aggregation. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol inhibited the phospholipase A2-induced platelet aggregation. These phospholipases A2 induced thromboxane B2 formation which was inhibited by EDTA and indomethacin, but not by prostaglandin E1. Pre-treatment of platelet suspension with phospholipase A2 from N. n. atra or A. mellifera venom (50 micrograms/ml) inhibited platelet aggregation induced by sodium arachidonate or collagen, but not that induced by thrombin or ionophore A-23187. Exogenous sodium arachidonate or lysophosphatidylcholine also showed unaltered inhibitory spectrum on platelet aggregation. It is concluded that phospholipases A2 induce platelet aggregation by virtue of their enzymatic activity, cleaving the membrane phospholipids resulting in arachidonic acid release and formation of thromboxane A2. On the other hand, the cleaved products, lysophosphatidylcholine, arachidonic acid or arachidonate metabolites (via lipoxygenase pathway) may be responsible for anti-platelet activity.     

金环蛇毒组份Ⅺ兔血小板聚集功能的影响

本文采用CM-Sephadex C-50柱层析分离金环蛇原毒,得16个峰,其中组份Ⅰ有促进兔血小板聚集的作用,其聚集曲线呈两个聚集波,原毒及组份Ⅶ～ⅩⅣ对ADP诱导的血小板聚集有抑制作用,其中组份Ⅺ经DEAE-Sephadex A-50柱层析纯化,经聚丙烯酰胺圆盘电泳鉴定为单一区带,组份Ⅺ可使小鸡颈二腹肌产生挛缩,且抑制离体蛙心收缩,该组份没有ADP酶及5′-核苷酸酶活力,但有磷脂酶A_2活力,原毒及组份Ⅺ的LD_(50)(小鼠ip)分别为1.5±s 0.2及8.0±s 1.3 mg·kg~(-1)(95％可信限),组份Ⅺ不引起富血小板血浆中乳酸脱氢酶含量升高,对ADP,花生四烯酸,A23187及凝血酶诱导的血小板聚集均有抑制作用,其IC_(50)分别为:68.8,10.0,10.1,6.3μg·ml~(-1),但对血小板5羟色胺的释放无明显影响,其作用机理需进一步研究。     

NP-313, 2-acetylamino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, a novel antithrombotic agent with dual inhibition of thromboxane A(2) synthesis and calcium entry

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

1,4-Naphthoquinones exhibit antiplatelet activity both in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the antiplatelet effect of a novel naphthoquinone derivative NP-313, 2-acetylamino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone and its mechanism of action.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We measured platelet aggregation, Ca²⁺ mobilization, thromboxane B2 formation and P-selectin expression and examined several enzymatic activities. Furthermore, we used the irradiated mesenteric venules in fluorescein sodium–treated mice to monitor the antithrombotic effect of NP-313 in vivo.

KEY RESULTS

NP-313 concentration-dependently inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by collagen, arachidonic acid, thapsigargin, thrombin and A23187. NP-313 also inhibited P-selectin expression, thromboxane B₂ formation and [Ca²⁺]_i elevation in platelets stimulated by thrombin and collagen. NP-313 at 10 µM inhibited cyclooxygenase, thromboxane A₂ synthase, and protein kinase Cα, whereas it did not affect phospholipase A₂ or phospholipase C activity. In the presence of indomethacin and an adenosine 5-diphosphate scavenger, NP-313 concentration-dependently inhibited thrombin- and A23187-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase through its inhibitory effects on Ca²⁺ influx, rather than blocking Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores. NP-313 also inhibited thapsigargin-mediated Ca²⁺ influx through store-operated calcium channel but had no effect on Ca²⁺ influx through store-independent calcium channel evoked by the diacylglycerol analogue 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol. Nevertheless, it had little effect on cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels. Also, intravenously administered NP-313 dose-dependently inhibited the thrombus occlusion of the irradiated mesenteric vessels of fluorescein-pretreated mice.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Taken together, these results indicate that NP-313 exerts its antithrombotic activity through dual inhibition of thromboxane A₂ synthesis and Ca²⁺ influx through SOCC.     

A platelet function inhibitor purified from Vipera russelli siamensis (Smith) snake venom

Y.-S. Li, K.-F. Liu, Q.-C. Wang, Y.-L. Rpan and G.-C. Tu. A platelet function inhibitor purified from Vipera russelli siamensis (Smith) snake venom. Toxicon23, 895–903, 1985. — By means of CM-Sephadex C-50 column chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex G — 75, a potent platelet function inhibitor was purified from Vipera russelli siamensis venom. It appeared as a single protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence or absence of SDS, and consists of 123 amino acid residues. Its NH₃-terminal residue is serine. It showed the following characteristics: molecular weight, 13,800; isoelectric point, 10.4; ld(In50), 0.5 ± 0.12 mg/kg (i.v.). The platelet inhibitor exhibited phospholipase A₂ activity with a specific activity of 35 μmoles/min/mg. From 2 g of the venom, 70 mg of the purified inhibitor was obtained. Inhibition of human platelet aggregation induced by ADP or adrenaline was dose-dependent, with id(In50) of 1.14μg/ml or 0.37 μg/ml, respectively. The platelet aggregation induced by thrombin or collagen was also inhibited and the inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation was heat stable (at 100°C, 20 min) in an acidic medium (pH 5.8), while its phospholipase A₂ activity was relatively heat labile under the same condition. The release of ³H-serotonin in platelets stimulated by ADP was also inhibited and this was positively correlated with inhibition of platelet aegregation induced by ADP (r = 0.998, P < 0.002).     

Platelet aggregation inhibitors from Agkistrodon acutus snake venom

Among all the purified components from A. acutus venom, including ADPase, 5'-nucleotidase, phospholipase A2 and fibrinogenases, only the venom ADPase (50-100 micrograms/ml) shows marked inhibitory action on ADP (10 microM)-, collagen (10 micrograms/ml)- and sodium arachidonate (100 microM)-induced platelet aggregations of rabbit platelet-rich plasma. The venom 5'-nucleotidase (100 micrograms/ml) inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation by 31 +/- 4% (n = 4, P less than 0.05). Fibrinogenolytic enzymes (fractions I and IX, 100 micrograms/ml) did not significantly inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP (10 microM), collagen (10 micrograms/ml) or sodium arachidonate (100 microM). However, when the fibrinogenase (fraction IX, 100 micrograms/ml) was preincubated with platelet-rich plasma for 30 min it inhibited collagen (20 micrograms/ml)- and ADP (10 microM)-induced platelet aggregations by 34 +/- 9% (n = 4, P less than 0.05) and 35 +/- 6% (n = 4, P less than 0.05), respectively. The phospholipase A2 (100 micrograms/ml) did not affect platelet aggregation. The venom ADPase is a single chain polypeptide with a molecular weight of 94,000. The specific ADPase activity is estimated to be 4.3 mu moles Pi/min/mg of protein. It also possesses phosphodiesterase and weak 5'-nucleotidase activities.     

Cardiotoxin from Naja naja atra snake venom: A potentiator of platelet aggregation

Cardiotoxin, isolated from Naja naja atra snake venom, potentiates platelet aggregation induced by ADP, thrombin, collagen and venom phospholipase A₂. The malondialdehyde formation caused by ADP, thrombin and venom phospholipase A₂ were also increased in the presence of cardiotoxin. Both potentiation of aggregation and increase in malondialdehyde were blocked by indomethacin or Ca²⁺ (5 mM or 0.05 mM). Cardiotoxin did not potentiate thrombin-induced aggregation of p-bromophenacyl bromide-modified platelets. Thromboxane B₂ formation induced by thrombin or collagen was also increased by cardiotoxin, while that by arachidonate was not affected. As a membrane-active polypeptide, cardiotoxin might augment the Ca²⁺-flux during the activation of the platelet membrane by aggregation inducers and then increase the activation of endogenous phospholipase A₂.     

Mechanism of action of the platelet function inhibitor from Vipera russelli siamensis snake venom

Human platelet aggregation induced by ADP, adrenaline, collagen or thrombin was inhibited by the venom inhibitor. Heating reduced both its phospholipase A2 enzymatic and anti-aggregatory activities, although not in parallel. The inhibitor caused significant dose-related inhibitory effects on the clot retraction of rabbit platelet-rich plasma caused by thrombin, while platelet malondialdehyde formation stimulated by thrombin was not affected. Furthermore, the venom inhibitor increased basal cyclic AMP levels in platelets, while cyclic GMP content was slightly lowered, but not in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, microscopic study revealed that the cytoskeleton was disordered after treatment of platelets with the venom inhibitor. The platelets lost their discoid form, while the ultrastructural changes of platelet aggregation induced by ADP were blocked. It is concluded that increasing platelet cyclic AMP and the disorder of the cytoskeleton may be the mechanism of action of the venom inhibitor on platelet function.     

Effects of phospholipase A2 from cobra and bee venom on the presynaptic membrane

L. G. Magazanik, I. M. Gotgilf, T. I. Slavnova, A. I. Miroshnikov and U. R. Apsalon. Effects of phospholipase A₂ from cobra and bee venom on the presynaptic membrane. Toxicon17, 477–488, 1979.—Phospholipases A₂ from bee venom and cobra venom have been isolated and studied. A parallelism was found between enzymatic activity and the ability to block spontaneous miniature end-plate potentials (m.e.p.p.'s) or end-plate potentials (e.p.p.'s) induced by nerve stimulation in the frog sartorius muscle. Different experimental procedures affected both enzymatic activity and blocking ability in qualitatively the same way. Thus, modification of the histidine residue in cobra venom phospholipase by bromophenacyl bromide or the removal of Ca-ions from the medium abolished both activities. Replacement of Ca²⁺ by Sr²⁺ inhibited both the enzymatic and presynaptic effects of cobra venom phospholipase, but did not inhibit the presynaptic action of bee venom phospholipase and decreased its enzymatic activity only 6-fold. Irreversible binding of cobra and bee venom phospholipase to the presynaptic membrane was found in Ca-free solution but Ca-ions were essential for the presynaptic blocking effect induced by these phospholipases. A reduction in the effect of high K⁺ on m.e.p.p. frequency was observed after cobra venom phospholipase treatment. The similar effects of hypertonic sucrose solution and the mitochondrial poison TTFB (4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole) were changed only slightly by bee and cobra venom phospholipase pretreatment. It is concluded that the mechanism of presynaptic blockade induced by bee venom and cobra venom phospholipase consists mainly of damage to sites of release at the presynaptic membrane. There are also some signs of disturbances of depolarization-secretion coupling and of the process of formation of new quanta. The possible functional role of enzymatic activity in the presynaptic effect is discussed.     

The anti-platelet effects of apocynin in mice are not mediated by inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity

Apocynin, or a (myelo)peroxidase-derived product thereof, is a powerful inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. Apocynin has also been shown to prevent aggregation of platelets in response to agonists such as collagen and thrombin. The aims of this study were to establish whether NADPH oxidase activity is required for aggregation of murine platelets to collagen and other agonists and whether the anti-aggregatory effects of apocynin are due to an inhibitory action against this enzyme. Washed platelets were isolated from male C57BL6 (wild-type), Nox2-deficient (Nox2^?/y ), and p47phox-deficient (p47phox^?/?) mice for assessment of aggregation and NADPH oxidase subunit (Nox2, p47phox) expression. Collagen and U46619 elicited aggregation of murine platelets, and these responses were inhibited by apocynin at concentrations ≥100 μM. By contrast, aggregations to a direct protein kinase C activator, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, were insensitive to apocynin. Immunoblotting of platelet protein homogenates from wild-type mice with anti-Nox2 or p47phox antibodies revealed strong bands at 58 and 50 kDa, respectively. While expression of these immunoreactive bands was greatly diminished in platelets from Nox2^?/y and p47phox^?/? mice, collagen still elicited aggregations that were similar to those observed in platelets from wild-types. Moreover, apocynin was an equally effective inhibitor of aggregation in platelets from all three mouse strains. In conclusion, these data suggest that NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species play no role in the aggregation response of washed murine platelets to collagen. Thus, our observation that apocynin is a powerful inhibitor of platelet aggregation raises further questions about the selectivity of this drug as an NADPH oxidase inhibitor.     

Ca2+ as messenger of 5HT2-receptor stimulation in human blood platelets

Summary In blood platelets of man, both 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) and 80 nM of the Ca²⁺-ionophore A23187 led to rapid shape change reactions which were inhibited by prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁), forskolin, 2-methyl-6-methoxy-8-nitroquinoline (quin2) and chlortetracycline. The IC₅₀-values of the inhibitors were similar in the 5HT- and the A23187-experiments. Higher amounts of A23187 abolished the inhibitory actions of PGE₁ and forskolin. Furthermore, 5HT and A23187 enhanced adrenaline-induced platelet aggregation their effects showing similar time dependence. Ketanserin, an antagonist of 5HT₂-receptors, and 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), an intracellular Ca²⁺-antagonist, counteracted the effects of 5HT much more than those of A23187, whereas acetylsalicylate and indomethacin did not influence the actions of either 5HT or A23187. In addition, 5HT caused a concentration-dependent rise of intracellular free Ca²⁺ in platelets which was counteracted by ketanserin. PGE₁ and forskolin reduced the resting Ca²⁺-levels. 5HT did not affect either the basal or the PGE₁-stimulated activity of adenylate cyclase, whereas the Ca²⁺-ionophore A23187 slightly raised the basal activity of the enzyme. In conclusion, the functional effects of 5HT₂-receptor stimulation in human blood platelets (shape change reaction and enhancement of adrenaline aggregation) seem to be mediated by a rise of intracellular free Ca²⁺.This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation as well as by the Alberto and Neni Bonizzi-Theler and the Emil Barell FoundationsPreliminary communications of some results presented here have been made at a satellite meeting (Shore Symposium) of the 5th International Catecholamine Symposium, Göteborg, 1983, and at the 3rd International Conference on Cyclic Nucleotides, Milano, 1983     

Inhibitory effect of 8-bromo cyclic GMP on an extracellular Ca2+-dependent arachidonic acid liberation in collagen-stimulated rabbit platelets

The inhibitory effect of cyclic GMP on collagen-induced platelet activation was studied using 8-bromo cyclic GMP (8brcGMP) in washed rabbit platelets. Addition of collagen (1 micrograms/ml) to platelet suspension caused shape change and aggregation associated with thromboxane (TX) A2 formation. 8brcGMP (10-1000 microM) inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and TXA2 formation in a concentration-dependent manner. 8brcGMP did not affect platelet cyclooxygenase pathways, but markedly inhibited collagen-induced arachidonic acid (AA) liberation from membrane phospholipids in [3H]AA-prelabeled platelets, indicating that the inhibitory effect of 8brcGMP on collagen-induced aggregation is due to an inhibition of AA liberation. In [32P]orthophosphate-labeled platelets, collagen stimulated phosphorylation of a 20,000 dalton (20-kD) and 40-kD proteins. 8BrcGMP stimulated phosphorylation of a specific protein having molecular weight of 46-kD and inhibited collagen-induced both 20- and 40-kD protein phosphorylation. Collagen could stimulate the AA liberation without activation of phospholipase C or Na+-H+ exchange, but could not in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. These findings suggest that cyclic GMP inhibits collagen-induced AA liberation which is mediated by an extracellular Ca2+-dependent phospholipase A2. However, cyclic GMP seems to inhibit the Ca2+-activated phospholipase A2 indirectly, since 8brcGMP had no effect on Ca2+ ionophore A23187-induced platelet aggregation or AA liberation. It is therefore suggested that cyclic GMP may regulate collagen-induced increase in an availability of extracellular Ca2+ which is responsible for phospholipase A2 activation in rabbit platelets.     

川芎嗪对人类血小板的药理作用

川芎嗪对收缩状态的Salganicoff′s人血小板条有松弛作用,ID₈₀约160μg/ml。明显抑制ADP、花生四烯酸和TXA₂同类物SQ26655所引起的收缩效应。能使血小板cAMP含量升高近1倍,随给药剂量增加,张力继续降低,但cAMP含量并不继续增加。用腺苷环化酶抑制剂SQ 22536后,川芎嗪对钙离子载体(calcium ionophore)A 23187所引起的血小板条收缩效应呈抑制作用,提示川芎嗪松弛血小板条的作用可能与抑制Ca²⁺作用有关。     

Inhibition of collagen-induced platelet activation by arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone

Collagen-induced platelet activation is associated with, and markedly potentiated by, the release of arachidonic acid and its subsequent conversion to thromboxane A₂. The precise mechanism of arachidonic acid release is unknown. An inhibitor of isolated cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂), arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF₃), was used to examine the role that cPLA₂ plays in this process. AACOCF₃ inhibited platelet aggregation in response to collagen and arachidonic acid but not to thrombin, calcium ionophore, phorbol ester, or a thromboxane mimetic. Thromboxane formation stimulated by thrombin or collagen was inhibited by AACOCF₃. However, AACOCF₃ did not inhibit collagen-induced [¹⁴C]arachidonic acid release. These data are consistent with the inhibitory effects of AACOCF₃ on collagen-induced aggregation involving an action on the conversion of arachidonic acid to thromboxane.     

A new insight of anti-platelet effects of sirtinol in platelets aggregation via cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase

Sirtinol, a cell permeable six-membered lactone ring, is derived from naphthol and potent inhibitor of SIR2 and its naphtholic may have the inhibitory effects on platelets aggregation. In this study, platelet function was examined by collagen/epinephrine (CEPI) and collagen/ADP-induced closure times using the PFA-100 system reveal that CEPI-CT and CADP-CT were prolonged by sirtinol. The platelets aggregation regulated by physiological agonists such as: thrombin, collagen and AA and U46619 were significantly inhibited by sirtinol. Increases cAMP level was observed when sirtinol treated with Prostaglandin E1 in washed platelets. Moreover, sirtinol attenuated intracellular Ca²⁺ release and thromboxane B2 formation stimulated by thrombin, collagen, AA and U46619 in human washed platelets. This study indicated that sirtinol could inhibit the platelet aggregation induced by physiological agonists, AA and U46619. The mechanism of action may include an increase of cAMP level with enhanced VASP-Ser157 phosphorylation via inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity and subsequent inhibition of intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization, thromboxane A2 formation, and ATP release during the platelet aggregation.     

Stejnihagin, a novel snake metalloproteinase from Trimeresurus stejnegeri venom, inhibited L-type Ca channels

Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) mainly distribute in Crotalid and Viperid snake venom and are classified into the Reprolysin subfamily of the M12 family of metalloproteinases. Previous function investigations have suggested that SVMPs are the key toxins involved in a variety of snake venom-induced pathogenesis including systemic injury, local damage, hemorrhage, edema, hypotension, hypovolemia, inflammation and necrosis. However, up to now, there is no report on ion channels blocking activity about SVMPs. Here, from Trimeresurus stejnegeri venom we purified a component Stejnihagin containing a mixture of Stejnihagin-A and -B, with 86% sequences identity, both as members of SVMPs. In the study, whole-cell patch clamp and vessel tension measurement were employed to identify the effect of Stejnihagin on L-type Ca²⁺ channels and vessel contraction. The results show that Stejnihagin inhibited L-type Ca²⁺channels in A7r5 cells with an IC₅₀ about 37 nM and simultaneously blocked 60 mM K⁺-induced vessel contraction. Besides, the inhibitory effect of Stejnihagin on L-type Ca²⁺ channels was also independent of the enzymatic activity. This finding offers new insight into the snake venom metalloproteinase functions and provides a novel pathogenesis of T. stejnegeri venom. Furthermore, it may also provide a clue to study the structure-function relationship of animal toxins and voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channel.     

Catalytic properties of two phospholipases A from cobra (Naja nigricollis) venom.

The catalytic properties of two proteins with phospholipase A activity, isolated from Naja nigricollis venom, have been studied. They are of type A₂ (E.C. 3.1.1.4) toward phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine. These enzymes are active in the presence of sodium deoxycholate (DOC) or Triton X-100. Ca²⁺ does not appear to be necessary for enzyme activity. Their optimum pH is 8·50.     

Purification and characterization of a new platelet aggregation inhibitor with dissociative effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation, from the venom of Protobothrops elegans (Sakishima-habu)

A platelet aggregation inhibitor, named snake venom platelet aggregation dissociator (SV-PAD)-1, with a dissociative reaction of ADP-induced platelet aggregation, was purified from the venom of Protobothrops elegans (Sakishima-habu) by gel-filtration employing Sephadex G-100, and ion-exchange chromatographies using DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow, CM-Sepharose Fast Flow, and Mono S. By this procedure, about 1.5 mg of purified protein was obtained from 1.0 g of P. elegans venom. The purified protein showed a single protein band and the molecular weight was about 110 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under reducing conditions. The pI of purified protein showed four-bands of 7.7, 7.8, 7.95, and 8.15. This protein strongly inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation in rabbit platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and its IC₅₀ was about 58 nM. It inhibited ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation in rabbit PRP (IC₅₀: 100 nM), but hardly blocked collagen-induced platelet aggregation. This protein promptly dissociated platelet aggregation in rabbit PRP stimulated by high-concentration ADP.     

Differential inhibition of human platelet aggregation and thromboxane A2 formation by L-arginine in vivo and in vitro

We compared the effects of L-arginine (L-ARG), the precursor of endogenous NO, on platelet aggregation and thromboxane A₂ formation in vivo and in vitro. Human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was anticoagulated with citrate (which decreases extracellular Ca²⁺) or with recombinant hirudin (which does not affect extracellular Ca²⁺). Two groups of 10 healthy male volunteers received intravenous infusions of L-ARG (30 g or 6 g, 30 min) or placebo. Blood was collected immediately before and at the end of the infusions for aggregation by ADP or collagen. Infusion of L-ARG inhibited ADP-induced aggregation in PRP anticoagulated with citrate by 37.5 ± 6.3% (P < 0.05). In PRP anticoagulated with hirudin, aggregation was inhibited by 33.6 ± 16.0% (P < 0.05). L-ARG infusion also inhibited platelet TXB₂ formation and slightly, but not significantly decreased the urinary excretion rate of 2,3-dinor-TXB₂; cGMP concentrations in PRP were significantly elevated during L-arginine infusion. In vitro preincubation with L-ARG (10 μM–2.5 mM) inhibited platelet aggregation in PRP anticoagulated with r-hirudin, but not citrate. This effect was stereospecific for L-arginine, as D-arginine had no effect. It was dependent upon NO synthase activity, as indicated by increased cGMP levels in PRP. Moreover, both the NOS inhibitor L-NMMA and the inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase ODQ antagonized the effects of L-ARG. Haemoglobin, an extracellular scavenger of NO, partly antagonized the antiplatelet effects of L-ARG. 8-Br-cyclic GMP and the exogenous NO donor linsidomine inhibited aggregation in PRP anticoagulated with citrate or r-hirudin. The inhibitory effects of L-ARG on platelet aggregation in vitro were paralleled by increased cyclic GMP levels; L-ARG also inhibited platelet TXB₂ formation in PRP anticoagulated with r-hirudin, but not citrate. We conclude that the L-arginine/NO pathway is present in human platelets as a Ca²⁺-dependent anti-aggregatory pathway. In vivo the formation of NO from L-ARG by endothelial cells may contribute to the platelet-inhibitory effects of L-ARG. NO-releasing compounds like linsidomine inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro independent of extracellular Ca²⁺. Received: 17 April 1997 / Accepted: 17 October 1997