Orientotoxin I, a neurotoxin of presynaptic effect having a lysophospholipase activity, and orientotoxin II, a highly toxic phospholipase A2, were isolated from the hornet Vespa orientalis venom, and their primary structures were determined. Despite their different functional activity, orientotoxin I and II proved to be structural homologues, differing significantly in the amino acid sequence from well-known toxic phospholipase from other sources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUsing biospecific chromatography on polylysocephamide, a toxic phospholipase possessing a presynaptic effect on neuromuscular preparations was isolated from the venom of the giant hornet Vespa orientalis. The enzyme was shown to possess a high hydrolytic activity towards 1-acyllysophosphatidylcholine within a narrow pH range (pH optimum 7.5).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effect of toxic phospholipase A2 and orientotoxin from the venom of the giant hornet Vespa orientalis on human erythrocytes was studied. It was shown that these venom components are potent hemolytic agents, the efficiency of the latter being by about two orders of magnitude as high as that of phospholipase A2. The hemolytic function of the both components is enhanced in the presence of low concentrations of Ca2+, whereas high concentrations of this cation exert an inhibiting action.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThree 14-member linear peptides (HR-1, HR-2 and HR-3) capable of degranulating mast cells and thus initiating histamine release were isolated from the venom of the giant hornet Vespa orientalis, using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The complete amino acid sequence of the peptides HR-1 and HR-2 molecules and partial structure of peptide HR-3 were determined, using automatic degradation by the Edman method. It was shown that peptide HR-1 at relatively low concentrations (2-20 micrograms/ml) selectively liberated histamine from rat mast cells and, when taken at higher doses (50-100 micrograms/ml), exerted a non-selective cytotoxic action.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF