ACTION OF VENOM OF VIPERA SNAKE OF UKRAINE ON BLOOD COAGULATION in vitro

Aim. In this study we focused on the search of fibrinogen-targeted proteases in the venom of Vipera renardi, Vipera nikolskii and Vipera berus. Venom of Vipera berus was also fractionated on Q-sepharose and action of separated fractions on human blood plasma, platelets and red cells was studied. Methods. Analysis of protein mixtures was performed using SDS-PAGE. Аction on the blood coagulation system was analyzed using the APTT assay. Identification of protein components with fibrinolytic activity was performed using enzyme-electrophoresis with fibrinogen as the substrate. Fractionation of V. berus venom was performed on Q-sepharose using FPLC system Acta Prime. Action of separated fractions on ADP-induced platelet aggregation in platelet rich blood plasma was analyzed using Aggregometer AP 2110. Hemolytic action of fractions was estimated using fresh human red cells. Amount of released hemoglobin was estimated by spectrophotometry on Optizen POP. Results. All studied venoms had different protein compositions with major protein fractions in the range from 25 kDa to 130 kDa. Both V. berus and V. nikolskii venoms taken in 1:200 dilutions reduced the time of clotting in APTT test from 25 to 13 s. In contrast, V. renardi venom in the same dilution prolonged the clotting time from 25 s to 180 s that we assumed as the result of fibrinogen-specific protease presence. According to enzyme-electrophoresis data all studied venoms contained fibrinogen-specific proteases with the apparent molecular weights for V. berus, V. nikolskii – 25-55 kDa. and V. renardi – 55-75 kDa. Fractionation of crude venom of V. berus allowed obtaining several fractions eluted at different concentrations of NaCl: 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.5 М. Non-binded fraction was also collected. Conclusions. Thus, the components of Vipera venoms living in Ukraine can be used for basic biochemical research. At the same time, care should be taken in the case of envenomation, as the presence of fibrinogenolytic enzymes in the venom can lead to hemorrhage. Further characterization of fibrinogen-specific protease from V. berus venom is a promising task for biotechnology.