International Journal of Histology and Cytology

ISSN 2756-3707

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 329-332, June, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of phospholipase A 2 (PLA2) from Echis ocellatus venom

Sallau, A.B., Ibrahim, M. A*., Salihu, A. and Patrick, F.U.

Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria.

Accepted 02 July, 2016

Abstract

Phospholipase A2 (EC. 3.1.1.4) was isolated and partially characterized from the venom of Echis ocellatus. The enzyme was purified 13.5-fold with a yield of 86.69% on DEAE-Sephadex G-75 column. The PLA2 from E. ocellatus venom had broad pH and temperature ranges with optima of 7.5 and 40oC respectively. Initial velocity studies for the determination of kinetic constants with L- - lecithin as substrate revealed a Km and Vmax of 1mg/ml and 0.35 mmoles/min respectively. The enzyme activity was enhanced by Ca2+ and strongly inhibited by Mg2+ and Co2+. Cu2+ was fairly inhibitory to the enzyme. The relevance of these findings towards understanding the biochemistry of E. ocellatus envenomation and development of antivenom for E. ocellatus venom is discussed.

Key words: Echis ocellatus, PLA2, venom.