Characterization of two vasoactive peptides isolated from the plasma of the snake Crotalus durissus terrificus
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Published on: November 3, 2014
S A Barreto1, L C A G Chaguri, B C Prezoto
1Biochemistry and Biophysics Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05503-900, Brazil.
Abstract:
Incubation of plasma from the snake Crotalus durissus terrificus (CDTP) with trypsin generated two hypotensive peptides. The primary structure of the peptides was established for two sequences as: (Ser-Ile-Pro-Gln-Ala-Pro-Thr-Ser-Asn-Leu-Ile-Glu-Ala-Thr-Lys) and (Lys-Pro-Asp-Ala-Asn-Gln-Val-Leu-Ile-Gln-Val-Ile-Gly-Val). These peptides display homology with fragments of albumin from Trimeresurus flavoviridis. Bolus intra-arterial injection of the purified or the synthetic peptide produced a strong and sustained vasopressor response in the anaesthetized snake (CDT) and rats (Wistar); this hypotensive effect was also potentiated by captopril-an angiotensin-converting (0.1 mg/kg) enzyme inhibitor.
