Purification and Characterization of a Novel Ngf from Chinese Cobra (Naja Naja Atra) Venom

Abstract

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) was demonstrated to play an important role in the neuron system; it was required for the development, maintenance, and differentiation of neuron. NGF was purified from the venom of Chinese cobra (Naja naja atra) by the gel filtration on a Sephadex G-50 column, followed by ion-exchange DEAE Cellulose D52 and CM Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography, and then by FPLC on Superose 12 column. The purified NGF was shown to be homogeneous in SDS-PAGE. In vitro, it possessed the biological activity on inducing the neurites growth of the cultured dorsal root ganglia of chicken embryos. Its molecular weight was estimated to be about 23,000 D. The isoelectric point was near 9.2. It was a glucoprotein containing 0.15% neutral hexose. We determined its terminal amino acid sequence, N-NVDFNSESTR, C-IIGNA. In this report, we also discussed the difference in characterizations between this NGF and other Elapidae venom NGFs.