Age-related Variation in Snake Venom: Evidence from Two Snakes (Naja atra and Deinagkistrodon acutus) in Southeastern China

作者：He, Ying; Gao, Jianfang; Lin, Longhui; Ma, Xiaomei; Ji, Xiang^*

来源：Asian Herpetological Research, 2014, 5(2): 119-127.

DOI：10.3724/SP.J.1245.2014.00119

• Naja atra
• Deinagkistrodon acutus
• Age-related variation
• Electrophoretie profile
• Enzymatic activity
• Immunoreactivity

In this study we explored electrophoretic profiles, enzymatic activities and immunoreactivity of neonate and adult venoms from two snakes (Naja atra and Deinagkistrodon acutus) coexisting in southeastern China. Age-related variation in electrophoretic profiles was found in both species and proteolytic and fibrinogenolytic activity was higher in neonate than adult venoms. Neonate D. acutus venom had higher 5 ' nucleotidase, PLA(2), hyaluronidase and gelatinolytic activity, but lower esterolytic activity, than adult venom. Neonate and adult D. acutus venoms showed identical phosphomonoesterase, LAO and fibrinolytic activities. Neonate N. atra venom had higher phosphomonoesterase and LAO activity, but lower 5 ' nucleotidase, PLA(2), hyaluronidase and AchE activities than adult venom. Neonate and adult N. atra venoms showed similar gelatinolytic activity. Further, age-dependent immunoreactivity was found in both species, and cross-reactions between homologous venoms and antiserums were closely related to venom composition. We speculate that age-related variation in venom characteristics is possibly driven by evolutionary forces associated with ontogenetic shifts in dietary habits, competition and predation pressure.

• 出版日期2014-6-25
• 单位南京师范大学; 杭州师范大学