Purification and Characterization of Nk‐3FTx: A Three Finger Toxin from the Venom of North East Indian Monocled Cobra

Abstract

Snake venom three finger toxins (3FTxs) are a non-enzymatic family of venom proteins abundantly found in elapids. We have purified a 7579.5 ± 0.591 Da 3FTx named as Nk-3FTx from the venom of Naja kaouthia of North East India origin. The primary structure was determined by a combination of N-terminal sequencing and electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Biochemical and biological characterization reveal that it is nontoxic to human cell lines and exhibit mild anticoagulant activity when tested on citrated human plasma. Nk-3FTx was found to affect the compound action potential (CAP) and nerve conduction velocity of isolated toad sciatic nerve. This is the first report of a non-conventional 3FTx from Naja kaouthia venom that reduces CAP for its neurotoxic effect. Further studies can be carried out to understand the mechanism of action and to explore its potential therapeutic application.

Snake Venom Peptides: Tools of Biodiscovery

“…Proteomic and transcriptomic analysis has shown that the ratio of 3FTxs can be higher relative to other toxins in the Elapidae venoms, as shown, for example, in the venom of Naja ashei , Micrurus pyrrhocryptus and Micrurus t. tschudii [ 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. 3FTxs constitute more than 60% of the venom composition of cobra snakes [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ], while there is a wide distribution of relative abundance of 3FTxs among different krait species, ranging from as low as 1.3% in B. fasciatus [ 58 , 59 ] to as high as 60% in Laticauda colubrina (a sea krait) [ 60 , 61 ]. The proteomic study of mamba venoms revealed that 3FTxs are also one of the most abundant toxins in their venom [ 50 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ].…”

Quantifying Demyelination in NK venom treated nerve using its electric circuit model

“…The blockade increases with increase of crude venom concentration/dose due to increase in 3FTx concentration. The nerve conduction experiments of 3FT-neurotoxin (purified from crude venom) treated nerve confirms reduction of action potential due to blocking of channel 37 . There is no change of value of latency between peak of proximal and peak of distal action potential even with increase of 3FTx concentration proving no reduction of myelin thickness of sciatic nerve treated with 3FTx and it is confirmed from SEM image ( Fig.…”

“…PLA 2 and three finger toxin was purified as described in Das et al . 37 . Briefly, crude venom was subjected to single step fractionation on RP-HPLC using symmetry C18 column (5 μ, 4.6 × 250 mm, 300 Å) (Waters, USA).…”

Snake Venom Components Affecting the Coagulation System

“…Very recently, a TFT from Naja kaouthia cobra (Nk-3FTx) was biochemically and biologically characterized; this study revealed that it exhibits mild anticoagulant activity when tested on citrated human plasma (Das et al 2016).…”