| Abstract: | Summary 1. By rechromatography on sulfoethyl-Sephadex C-50, an electrophoretically homogeneous preparation of cholinesterase has been obtained from the venom ofNaja oxiana Eichwald.2. The activity of the cholinesterase isolated depends on the concentration of the enzyme and the time and temperature of incubation, and also on the pH. The following must be considered the optimum conditions: time of incubation of the enzyme with the substrate 20–30 min, pH 8.0–8.5, temperature 37–38°C.3. Diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DIPF) in a concentration of 2 µM completely suppresses the activity of the cobra venom cholinesterase.4. The venom cholinesterase hydrolyzes acetylcholine chloride and acetylthiocholine bromide but has no effect on butyrylthiocholine bromide, in which respect it resembles the true cholinesterases.5. Preparations of cobra venom cholinesterase do not possess a lethal action and do not potentiate the activity of the neurotoxins of the same venom.Institute of Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 783–789, November–December, 1972. |
