Acid and alkaline phosphatase activities of a fraction isolated from Parawixia bistriata spider venom

Author(s)

Rodrigues, Marcelo Cairrão Araujo ^[1] ; Guimarães, Luis Henrique Souza ; Liberato, José Luis ; Polizeli, Maria de Lourdes Teixeira de Moraes ; Santos, Wagner Ferreira dos

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Toxicon; v. 47, n. 8, p. 854-858, June 2006.
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology

Abstract

This present study describes the isolation of a high molecular weight fraction (F1) from the venom of the social spider Parawixia bistriata, by gel filtration and also its subfractions by further purification with affinity chromatography on a Concanavalin A-Sepharose column. Acid and an alkaline phosphatase activity were found in fractions. The effects of pH, temperature and metallic ions on these activities were evaluated. Optimal temperature for both enzymes was 55°C and optimal pH was 5.0 and 8.5 for the acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, respectively. As ZnCl2 inhibited enzymatic activities and the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) raised the basal phosphatase activities, it was speculated that the venom itself could contain Zn++; this was confirmed with the use of an atomic absorption flame spectrometer. In conclusion, the high molecular weight components of the spider venom of P. bistriata have acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, which may reflect the presence of at least two different enzymes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/07580-3 - Investigations into the network properties of nigrotectal slices in models of physiological and pathophysiological brain states
• Grantee: Marcelo Cairrão Araujo Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research