ISSN:
1432-0738
Keywords:
Cobra venom
;
Phospholipase A2
;
Mouse lymphoma
;
Cytotoxicity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract A series of phospholipases were compared as to their ability to disrupt variants of S-49 mouse lymphoma cells. The basic, type-A2-phospholipase (named P3-Menashe et al. 1980) derived from the venom of the cobra snake Naja mossambica mossambica has demonstrated unique cytolytic properties in the following aspects: (1) While being devoid of any direct hemolytic activity and demonstrating very low cytotoxicity to normal mouse lymphocytes, P3 has induced a potent lytic action on S-49 cells and several mutants derived from them. (2) When P3 was compared to a cytolytic cardiotoxin derived from the same venom it was found to possess higher cytotoxicity. (3) The ability of P3 to disrupt S-49 cells could not be reproduced by lysophosphatidylcholine — a common and strongly hemolytic product of phospholipase A2 enzymatic action. (4) The possible relation between the high susceptibility of lymphoma cells to the lytic action of P3 and their unique composition and/or arrangement of membranal phospholipids is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00302757
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