Snake Venom Components Affecting Blood Coagulation and the Vascular System:Structural Similarities and Marked Diversity

Title: Snake Venom Components Affecting Blood Coagulation and the Vascular System:Structural Similarities and Marked Diversity

Volume: 13 Issue: 28

Author(s): Yasuo Yamazaki and Takashi Morita

Affiliation:

Keywords: Snake venom, blood coagulation, vascular system, C-type lectin-like protein, disintegrin, vascular endothelial growth factor, cysteine-rich secretory protein

Abstract: In studies of blood coagulation and the vascular system, snake venom toxins have been indispensable in elucidating the complex physiological mechanisms that govern coagulation and the vascular system in mammals, given their potency and highly specific biological effects. The various components of snake venom toxins can be classified according to their mechanism of action, for example, serine proteases, metalloproteinases, Kunitz-type protease inhibitors, phospholipases A2, L-amino acid oxidases, C-type lectin(-like) proteins, disintegrins, vascular endothelial growth factors, three-finger toxins, and cysteine-rich secretory proteins. Although the molecular structures of most toxins are not unique to snake venom toxins, venom proteins often exhibit marked diversity in their biological effects, despite their structural similarities. In this review, we identify several snake venom toxins capable of affecting blood coagulation and the vascular system, as well as various toxins from other organisms, including leeches and ticks.

Cite this article as:

Yamazaki Yasuo and Morita Takashi, Snake Venom Components Affecting Blood Coagulation and the Vascular System:Structural Similarities and Marked Diversity, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2007; 13 (28) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782023775