尖吻蝮蛇毒小分子多肽的分离及抗血小板聚集作用

目的从尖吻蝮蛇毒中分离纯化一种抗血小板聚集小分子多肽,研究其理化性质以及对ADP、胶原、凝血酶诱导的血小板聚集反应的影响。方法经SephadexG-75凝胶过滤,超滤,DEAE-SepharoseCL-6B离子交换层析法分离纯化蛇毒组分,采用高效液相鉴定纯度,用SDS-凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)测定其分子量,用比浊法测定其抗血小板聚集活性。结果从尖吻蝮蛇毒中分离相对分子质量约为7862u等电点为4.29的组分,该组分能抑制由ADP、胶原、凝血酶诱导的血小板聚集并成剂量依赖性。结论此法成功地从尖吻蝮蛇毒中纯化出抗血小板聚集组分。该组分与去整合素比较相似,可能属于去整合素家族。     

A novel anti-platelet aggregation tripeptide from Agkistrodon acutus venom: Isolation and characterization

AAP, a tripeptide that inhibited rabbit platelet aggregation, was isolated from Agkistrodon acutus venom by ion-exchange, gel filtration and reverse-phase chromatography. Amino acid sequences which determined mainly by amino acid analyses and NMR spectroscopy indicated it was a tripeptide including pyroglutamic acid, asparagine and tryptophane residues. The ESMS experiment assigned a molecular weight of 429 Da. AAP inhibited rabbit platelet aggregation induced by ADP, PAF-acether, collagen and thrombin, the IC₅₀s were 178 μM, 332 μM, 179 μM and 203 μM, respectively. AAP also inhibited thrombus formation in vivo thrombosis model and prevented the combination between fibrinogen and GP IIb/IIIa. Besides, AAP was not toxic after intravenous injection into mice at a higher dose. Those studies might be helpful to delineate unknown mechanisms involved in platelet aggregation and serve as a model for developing antithrombotic agents.     

Inhibition of human platelet aggregation by -amino acid oxidase purified from Naja naja kaouthia venom

-Amino acid oxidase (LAO) widely exists in snake venoms. Purification of LAO from the Naja naja kaouthia (monocellate cobra) venom has been reported (Tan and Swaminathan, 1992), but its structural characterization and physiological function remained to be determined. The function of snake venom LAOs in hemostasis, especially their effect on platelet aggregation, has been controversial. We determined the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the N. n. kaouthia LAO named K–LAO to be DDRRSPLEECFQQNDYEEFLEIAKNGLKKTxNPKHVXxV (38 residues). The protein data base search revealed that the enzyme had high similarities with other snake venom LAOs. Further, platelet aggregation studies revealed that K–LAO functionally did not induce platelet aggregation in a platelet-rich plasma system, but that it inhibited platelet aggregation induced by agonists such as ADP, collagen and ristocetin in a dose-dependent manner. K–LAO diminished platelet aggregation more intensely under low than high shear stress. This inhibitory activity of K–LAO on either ristocetin-induced or shear-induced platelet aggregation was quenched by addition of catalase. These results indicate that K–LAO functions as an inhibitor to platelet aggregation through the formation of hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme may contribute to the development of a severe hematological disorder due to cobra envenomation.     

Jerdonuxin, a novel snaclec (snake C-type lectin) with platelet aggregation activity from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom

Serious clinical symptoms of Trimeresurus jerdonii bite are mainly caused by abnormalities of blood system. We have previously identified and characterized several bioactive components affecting human blood system, such as serine proteases, metalloproteinases and disintegrins. But few snaclec was characterized in the T. jerdonii venom. In this study, a novel snaclec, named jerdonuxin, was isolated, molecular cloned and characterized as a human platelet agonist. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, jerdonuxin showed a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 120 kDa under non-reducing conditions and two distinct bands with apparent molecular weights of 18 kDa (α-subunit) and 14 kDa (β-subunit) under reducing conditions. The cDNA sequence of each subunit of jerdonuxin was identified. The precursors of both subunits contain a 23-amino acid residue signal peptide and the mature proteins are composed of 135 and 125 amino acids for α- and β-subunits, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of each subunit determined by Edman degradation were consistent with deduced amino acid sequences of cDNA. Jerdonuxin dose-dependently induced human platelet aggregation. The phosphorylation profile pattern induced by jerdonuxin showed similar with mucetin (a platelet agonist via glycoprotein Ib), but different from stejnulxin (an agonist via glycoprotein VI). The jerdonuxin-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by the anti-GPIbα or anti-GPIIb polyclonal antibodies, but not by anti-GPVI polyclonal antibodies. In summary, a novel snaclec of platelet agonist was purified and characterized from the T. jerdonii venom and our data also suggested that GPIb was involved in jerdonuxin-induced platelet aggregation.     

Purification, cloning and biological characterization of a novel disintegrin from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom.

A novel disintegrin, jerdonin, was purified from the Trimeresurus jerdonii venom by means of gel filtration and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Its coding cDNA was also isolated from the venom gland. The jerdonin coding cDNA is part of a precursor composed of proprotein, metalloproteinase, and disintegrin domains. From the deduced amino acid sequence, jerdonin is composed of 71 amino acid residues including 12 cysteines and the tripeptide sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), a well-known characteristic of the disintegrin family. Molecular mass of jerdonin was determined to be 7483Da by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Jerdonin inhibited ADP- and collagen-induced human platelet aggregation with IC(50) of 220 and 240 nM, respectively. In vivo, jerdonin inhibited the growth of subcutaneously inoculated B16 solid tumor in C57BL/6 mice and improved the survival time of the tumor-bearing mice.     

Purification, characterization, and cDNA cloning of acidic platelet aggregation inhibiting phospholipases A2 from the snake venom of Vipera lebetina (Levantine viper)

Two novel acidic phospholipase A₂s (PLA₂) were isolated by size exclusion chromatography and reversed-phase chromatography from the crude Vipera lebetina venom. The molecular masses of VLPLA₂-1 (13,704 Da) and VLPLA₂-2 (13,683 Da) and their internal tryptic peptides were determined by MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometry. When tested in human platelet-rich plasma, both enzymes showed a potent inhibitory effect on aggregation induced by ADP and collagen. Chemical modification with p-bromophenacylbromide abolished the enzymatic activity of PLA₂; its anti-platelet activity was fully inhibited in case of collagen as inducer and partially inhibited in case of ADP as inducer. The complete cDNAs encoding PLA₂ were cloned from a single venom gland cDNA library. Complete amino acid sequences of the VLPLA₂ were deduced from the cDNA sequences. The full-length cDNA sequences of the VLPLA₂ possess 615 bp and encode an open reading frame of 138 amino acids that include signal peptide (16 amino acids) and mature enzyme (122 amino acids). The VLPLA₂s have significant sequence similarity to many other phospholipase A₂s from snake venoms. The phylogenetic analysis on the basis of the amino acid sequence homology demonstrates that VLPLA₂s grouped with other Asp49 PLA₂s and they appear to share a close evolutionary relationship with the European vipers.     

Molecular cloning of albolatin, a novel snake venom metalloprotease from green pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris), and expression of its disintegrin domain

Disintegrins are snake venom-derived, RGD- or KGD-containing peptides that can inhibit integrin-mediated platelet aggregation and cell–matix interactions. The aim of this study is to analyze the full-length cDNA sequence of a snake venom metalloprotease (SVMP) from green pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) venom and characterize functions of its disintegrin domain on human platelets. From the primary cDNA library of venom glands, a partial sequence of a novel SVMP (Albolatin) was obtained. Using the 5′-RACE, the 2040 bp full-length sequence of albolatin mRNA was derived. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed a type P-II SVMP of 484 amino acid residues comprising a signal region, pro-peptide, inactive metalloprotease domain and a disintegrin domain. It showed 85% amino acid identical to Trimeresurus jerdonii jerdonitin and 81% to Gloydius halys agkistin. Sequence alignment revealed that all cysteines were conserved except for an extra cysteine in the protease domain of albolatin. The disintegrin domain of albolatin, which comprised 76 amino acids with a KGDW sequence, was expressed in Pichia pastoris with the yield of 3.3 mg/L of culture medium. The molecular weights were 11 kDa in reduced and 22 kDa in non-reduced states indicating a homodimer. It can inhibit collagen-induced platelet aggregation with IC₅₀ of 976 nM and, therefore, should be investigated for a potential to be a novel therapeutic agent.     

蝮蛇毒血小板抑制因子对动脉血栓形成的影响及机制研究

目的：探讨皖南蝮蛇毒血小板抑制因子（AHV-PI）对家兔动脉血栓形成的影响及可能机制。方法：新西兰家兔24只,随机分成假手术组、动脉血栓模型组、阳性对照组（奥扎格雷钠,5mg/kg）,AHV-PI（0.1mg/kg）实验组共4组,每组6只。应用70%FeCl3溶液化学损伤的方法来制备家兔颈动脉血栓模型,采用血栓弹力仪（TEG）描计血栓弹力图,比浊法测定家兔血小板聚集率,ELISA测定各组血浆中α颗粒膜蛋白（GMP-140）和血栓素B2（TXB2）水平,光镜和透射电镜分别观察动脉血栓形成和血小板形态的改变。结果：AHV-PI实验组与模型组相比,血栓弹力图凝血时间（R）值和血凝块形成时间（K）值延长（P〈0.01和P〈0.05）,Alpha角度、最大幅度（MA）和凝血指数（CI）减小（P〈0.05和P〈0.01）;血小板聚集率的各项指标均明显降低（P〈0.05）;血浆中GMP-140和TXB2含量降低（P〈0.01）。AHV-PI实验组光镜下动脉内未见血栓形成,血小板电镜显示血小板形态基本规则,与模型组相比伪足较少,α-颗粒和致密颗粒无明显减少,胞浆空泡化现象减轻。结论：AHV-PI可以通过抑制血小板聚集,防止动脉血栓的形成,其机制可能与之保护血小板超微结构,减少血小板脂质代谢和颗粒内容物的释放有关。     

蝮蛇抗栓酶对体外血小板聚集的影响

本文比较了不同的浓度蝮蛇抗栓酶(svate)对人血小板聚集的影响。结果表明,不同浓度蝮蛇抗栓酶对试管内血小板聚集均有明显抑制作用,其抑制作用与浓度呈正比。     

Albocollagenase, a novel recombinant P-III snake venom metalloproteinase from green pit viper (Cryptelytrops albolabris), digests collagen and inhibits platelet aggregation

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of P-III snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) will give us deeper insights in the pathogenesis of viper bites. This may lead to novel therapy for venom-induced local tissue damages, the complication refractory to current antivenom. The aim of this study was to elucidate the in vitro activities of a new SVMP from the green pit viper (GPV) using recombinant DNA technology. We report, here, a new cDNA clone from GPV (Cryptelytrops albolabris) venom glands encoding 614 amino acid residues P-III SVMP, termed albocollagenase. The conceptually translated protein comprised a signal peptide and prodomain, followed by a metalloproteinase domain containing a zinc-binding motifs, HEXGHXXGXXH-CIM and 9 cysteine residues. The disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains possessed 24 cysteines and a DCD (Asp-Cys-Asp) motif. The albocollagenase deduced amino acid sequence alignments showed approximately 70% identity with other P-III SVMPs. Notably, the prodomain was highly conserved, while the metalloproteinase, disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains contained several differences. Albocollagenase without the signal peptide and prodomain was expressed in Pichia pastoris with an N-terminal six-histidine tag. After affinity purification from the supernatant of methanol-induced media, SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis in both reducing and non-reducing conditions showed a protein band of approximately 62 kDa. The recombinant albocollagenase could digest human type IV collagen from human placenta basement membrane within 1 min. After 10-min incubation, it also inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 70 nM. This is the first report of the active recombinant SVMP enzymes expressed in P. pastoris. The results suggest the significant roles of P-III SVMP in local and systemic pathology of envenomated patients. Inhibitors of this SVMP will be investigated in further studies to find a better treatment for viper bites.     

中国黑眼镜蛇毒蛋白酶natrahagin抑制血小板聚集和动脉血栓形成的作用

研究从中国黑眼镜蛇毒中纯化的中国黑眼镜蛇毒蛋白酶natrahagin对血小板聚集 ,血浆纤维蛋白原水平和动脉血栓形成的影响 .采用比浊法测定兔血小板聚集率 ,双缩脲法测定血浆纤维蛋白原浓度 .应用胰蛋白酶损伤血管内皮的方法制作家兔颈动脉血栓模型评价natrahagin抑制血栓形成的作用 .结果发现 ,新西兰家兔natrahagin ( 0 .0 2 5～ 0 .1mg·kg- 1,iv)剂量依赖性地抑制二磷酸腺苷 ( 10 μmol·L- 1)和胶原 ( 10 0mg·L- 1)诱导的血小板聚集 ,显著降低血浆纤维蛋白原水平 .剂量为 0 .1mg·kg- 1时 ,血浆纤维蛋白原水平降低 33.3% .并能有效地抑制兔颈动脉血栓的形成 ,效应呈剂量依赖性 .0 .1mg·kg- 1剂量组对血栓形成的抑制率达到 4 5.4 % .研究提示 ,natrahagin抑制动脉血栓形成的作用与其抑制纤维蛋白原介导的血小板聚集和降低血浆纤维蛋白原水平的作用有关     

白唇竹叶青蛇毒5′-核苷酸酶对血小板聚集的影响及其机制研究

目的研究白唇竹叶青蛇毒5′-核苷酸酶对血小板聚集的影响,探讨其作用机制。方法采用比浊法测定白唇竹叶青蛇毒5′-核甘酸酶对二磷酸腺苷(ADP)、花生四烯酸(AA)、血小板活化因子(PAF)诱导血小板聚集的影响。结果白唇竹叶青蛇毒5′-核甘酸酶能抑制ADP、AA、PAF诱导的血小板聚集,且其抑制率与剂量增加成正比;抑制血小板聚集作用与ADP的水解和腺苷的积累有关。结论白唇竹叶青蛇毒5′-核甘酸酶能抑制血小板聚集,抑制作用主要通过水解ADP和积累腺苷,可能与阻断TXA2的生成有关。     

Expression and characterization of a recombinant fibrinogenolytic serine protease from green pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) venom

Viper venom serine proteases (SPs) display several effects on hemostatic system. Molecular cloning showed that Trimeresurus albolabris venom comprised a mixture of five SPs with thrombin-like (2), fibrinogenase (2) and plasminogen-activating (1) activities. Because only few fibrinogenolytic SP sequences were reported, we decided to express albofibrase, a novel fibrinogenase from T. albolabris using Pichia pastoris system. The recombinant active form of enzyme was 30 kDa including 2.2 kDa of glycosylation. Albofibrase showed an fibrinogenase activity. In addition, a plasminogen activating and clotting effect were detectable. Albofibrase prolonged APTT and PT in a time-dependent manner. The effect was neutralized by pre-incubation with equine antivenom to T. albolabris. Therefore, the protein is potentially useful as a new anticoagulant as the antidote is clinically available. Sequence analysis compared with other snake venom fibrinogenases and SPs could not find any unique residues responsible for their various effects. Structure–function relationship should be further studied using mutagenesis in order to explore the mechanisms of venom protease functional diversity.     

A novel platelet glycoprotein Ib-binding protein with human platelet aggregation-inhibiting activity from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom

Platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) is a primary adhesion receptor and involved in platelet-related disorders. However, it is difficult to study GPIb-specific platelet stimulation using physiological ligands in vivo. GPIb-binding snake C-type lectins (snaclecs) are useful tools for exploring GPIb in vitro because they act on platelets differently. In the present study, a novel GPIb-binding snaclec, named jerdonibitin, was purified, molecular cloned and characterized from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it showed a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 25 kDa under non-reducing conditions and two distinct bands with apparent molecular weights of 15 kDa (α-subunit) and 13 kDa (β-subunit) under reducing conditions. The cDNA sequences of each subunit of jerdonibitin were identified and both deduced amino acid sequences were confirmed by N-terminal protein sequencing and trypsin-digested peptide mass fingerprinting of MALDI-TOF. Sequence alignment showed that jerdonibitin is a snaclec and has sequence similarity with TSV-GPIb-BP (a GPIb-inhibitory snaclec). Jerdonibitin dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ristocetin or low-dose thrombin, but not by high-dose thrombin. The GPIbα was detected by affinity chromatography on jerdonibitin. In vivo, jerdonibitin also dose-dependently induced thrombocytopenia of mice and platelet counts remained at very low level after 18 h intravenous injection. In summary, a novel GPIb-inhibitory snaclec was molecular cloned and characterized, which might provide insights into investigation of how GPIb-inhibitory snaclecs work and development of new antiplatelet agents.     

Purification and characterization of a new l-amino acid oxidase from Daboia russellii siamensis venom

A new l-amino acid oxidase (designated as DRS-LAAO) was purified from Daboia russellii siamensis venom by ion-exchange, gel filtration and affinity chromatographies. DRS-LAAO is a homodimeric enzyme with a molecular weight of 120.0 kDa as measured by size exclusion chromatography and the monomeric molecular weight of 58.0 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE under both non-reducing and reducing conditions. The N-terminal amino acid sequence (ADDKNPLEECFREDD) of DRS-LAAO shares high identity with other snake venom l-amino acid oxidases, especially with those isolated from viperid venoms. The enzyme displayed high specificity towards hydrophobic l-amino acids. The best substrate of DRS-LAAO was L-Leu followed by L-Phe and L-Ile, while five substrates — L-Pro, L-Asn, L-Gly, L-Ser and L-Cys were not oxidized. Optimal pH of DRS-LAAO was 8.8. The enzyme showed no hemorrhagic activity even at a dosage of 55.0 μg. DRS-LAAO dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP (83.33 μM) and TMVA (55.0 nM) with an IC₅₀ value of 32.8 μg/ml and 32.3 μg/ml, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of DRS-LAAO against Staphylococci aureus (ATCC 25923), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) were 9.0, 144.0 and 288.0 μg/ml, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of the enzyme for these strains were twice of the MIC values. These results showed that DRS-LAAO had the strongest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus among these three international standard stains. Antibacterial-activities of DRS-LAAO against eight clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were also tested. The MICs of DRS-LAAO against these isolates ranged from 4.5 to 36.0 μg/ml. And the MBCs of the enzyme against these isolates ranged from 9.0 to 72.0 μg/ml.     

Purification, cloning and characterization of a metalloproteinase from Naja atra venom

The complement system is a very important part of the immune system. Many snake venoms possess activities that influence the complement. A new metalloproteinase (termed atrase B) with anticomplementary activity was purified from Naja atra venom. Atrase B is a single chain glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 49.4 kDa and an isoelectric point of 9.7. Its N-terminal sequence shows high homology to those of metalloproteinases from cobra venoms. The cDNA sequence reveals that atrase B is a PIII class metalloproteinase. Atrase B slowly cleaves the Aα chain of fibrinogen. It also exhibits edema-inducing activity, but has no hemorrhagic activity and proteolytic activity against fibrin, azocasein, and N-benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester. Interestingly, atrase B inhibits activation of the complement classical and alternative pathways in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Complement components factor B and C6 are major targets for atrase B to cleave. Atrase B is the first identified SVMP that cleaves complement components factor B, C6, C7, and C8.     

6-(4-取代乙酰氨基苯基)-4,5-二氢-3(2H)-哒嗪酮类化合物的合成及其对血小板聚集的抑制作用

目的 设计并合成6-(4-取代苯基)-4,5-二氢-3(2H)-哒嗪酮类化合物,以期发现作用更强的血小板聚集抑制剂。方法以乙酰苯胺为原料,经酰化反应、傅-克反应、水解反应及水合肼环合反应、氯化反应、烷基化反应等一系列反应合成目标化合物,并参考Bom方法进行体外药理实验。结果共合成6-(4-取代苯基)-4,5-二氢-3(2H)-哒嗪酮类化合物11个,均属首次报道,并通过元素分析、^1HNMR、IR确证结构。初步的体外药理实验表明：大部分目标化合物都不同程度地抑制了ADP诱导的新西兰大白兔血小板的聚集。结论11个目标化合物中化合物(8)抑制血小板聚集作用的活性最强,超过对照化合物CCI-17810,化合物(1)、(2)、(4)等也有较强的活性。     

Purification and characterization of a hemorrhagic metalloproteinase from Bothrops lanceolatus (Fer-de-lance) snake venom.

Bothrops snake venoms contain metalloproteinases that contribute to the local effects seen after envenoming. In this work, a hemorrhagic metalloproteinase (BlaH1) was purified from the venom of the snake Bothrops lanceolatus by a combination of gel filtration, affinity (metal chelating) and hydrophobic interaction chromatographies. The hemorrhagin was homogeneous by SDS-PAGE and had a molecular mass of 28 kDa that was unaltered by treatment with beta-mercaptoethanol. BlaH1 gave a single band in immunoelectrophoresis and immunoblotting using commercial bothropic antivenom. BlaH1 had hemorrhagic, caseinolytic, fibrinogenolytic, collagenolytic and elastinolytic activities, but no phospholipase A(2) activity. The hemorrhagic and caseinolytic activities were inhibited by EDTA, indicating that they were metal ion-dependent. In contrast, aprotinin, benzamidine and PMSF did not affect these activities. The caseinolytic activity of BlaH1 had a pH optimum of 8.0 and was stable in solution at up to 40 degrees C; activity was completely lost at > or =70 degrees C. The hemorrhagic activity was neutralized by commercial bothropic antivenom. These properties suggest that this new hemorrhagin belongs to class P-I snake venom metalloproteinases.     

Isolation and functional characterization of a new myotoxic acidic phospholipase A(2) from Bothrops pauloensis snake venom.

This article reports the purification procedure and the biochemical/functional characterization of Bp-PLA(2), a new myotoxic acidic phospholipase A(2) from Bothrops pauloensis snake venom. It was highly purified through three chromatographic steps (ion-exchange on CM-Sepharose, hydrophobic chromatography on Phenyl-Sepharose and RP-HPLC on a C8 column). Bp-PLA(2) is a single-chain protein of 15.8kDa and pI 4.3. Its N-terminal sequence revealed a high homology with other Asp49 acidic PLA(2)s from snake venoms. Its specific activity was 585.3U/mg. It displayed a high indirect hemolytic activity and inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen or ADP. It also induced in vivo edema and myotoxicity. Pretreatment of Bp-PLA(2) with BPB reduced the enzymatic activity, the inhibitory action on platelet aggregation and myotoxicity in vitro. Morphological analyses indicated that Bp-PLA(2) induced an intense edema, with visible leukocyte infiltrate and damaged muscle cells 24h after injection. Acidic myotoxic PLA(2)s from Bothrops snake venoms are still not extensively explored and knowledge of their structural and functional features will contribute for a better understanding of their action mechanism regarding enzymatic and toxic activities.     

Purification and characterization of a platelet aggregation inhibitor acidic phospholipase A2 from Indian saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) venom

An acidic phospholipase A₂ (EC-I-PLA₂) has been purified from the Indian saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) venom through a combination of column chromatography and electrophoresis. EC-I-PLA₂ has a molecular weight of 16000 by SDS-PAGE. It was focussed between pH 4.2 and 4.8 by isoelectro focussing. EC-I-PLA₂ was non-lethal to mice and devoid of neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, anticoagulant activity and cytotoxicity. It induced mild oedema in the foot pads of mice. The purified PLA₂ inhibited ADP, collagen and epinephrine induced human platelet aggregation and the inhibition was both dose and time dependent.