Properties of nerve growth factor from the venom of Bothrops atrox

A glycoprotein fraction islated in poor yield (approx. 0.04%) from the venom of Bothrops atrox contained nerve growth factor. The material had biological activity, stability, the property of anomalous adsorption onto surfaces, apparent molecular weight and sub-unit structure that were similar to those for nerve growth factor that had been previously purified from the venom of Vipera russelli. Antiserum raised against nerve growth factor from Vipera russelli showed definite cross-reactivity with either the material from Bothrops atrox or a nerve growth factor-containing fraction from the venom of Ancistrodon piscivorus piscivorus, while antiserum against nerve growth factor from mouse had little effect on any of these preparations.