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Purification and Characterization of Cytotoxins from Agkistrodon acutus Venom and Their Anticancer Activity

ZHANG Liang, LI Hong, WU Wu-tong*   

  1. School of Biopharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
  • Received:2003-12-25 Revised:2004-05-10 Online:2004-06-15 Published:2004-06-15
  • Contact: WU Wu-tong*

Abstract: Aim To investigate the anticancer activity of two new cytotoxins from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus. Methods The venom was isolated by FPLC column chromatography consisting of DEAE Sepharose FF and Source 30S. The cytotoxic activity on tumor cells was detected by MTT method. Purity and molecular weight were determined by SDS-PAGE (silver staining). Their stabilities to temperature and pH were also detected. Results Two pure cytotoxins named ACTX-6 and ACTX-8 were obtained. Their molecular weights are 98 kDa and 27 kDa, respectively. ACTX-6 consists of two subunits bonded together by disulfide bonds. Conclusion ACTX-6 and ATCX-8 have highest inhibitory activity on lung cancer cell A549. ACTX-6 is stable to heat while ACTX-8 not. ACTX-6 is stable between pH 7-9 and ACTX-8 between pH 6-9.

Key words: Agkistrodon acutus, Agkistrodon acutus, snake venom, snake venom, anticancer activity, anticancer activity, cytotoxin, cytotoxin, column chromatography, column chromatography

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