HAEMORRHAGES INDUCED BY SNAKE VENOMS. A BRIEF HISTORY OF SNAKE VENOM METALLOPROTEINASES

Authors

  • Konrad K. Hus, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszow University of Technology, 6 Powstańców Warszawy Str., 35-959 Rzeszów
  • Aleksandra Bocian Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszow University of Technology, 6 Powstańców Warszawy Str., 35-959 Rzeszów

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36921/kos.2019_2605

Abstract

Every year, around 100,000 people die from snake bites around the world, and at least four times as many are
seriously wounded. The most common symptoms observed after viperid envenomation include local and systemic haemorrhages. Enzymes responsible for their formation are called snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and this work summarizes currently available knowledge about their structure, properties and activity. In addition, it presents the latest hypotheses regarding the causes of the entire process, including the mechanisms at the molecular and macroscopic level. The article also describes the history of discoveries and advancements that have graduallyenriched knowledge in this topic over the years, eventually leading to an understanding of the causes and consequences of hemorrhagic activity of snake venom metaloproteinases.

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Author Biography

  • Konrad K. Hus,, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszow University of Technology, 6 Powstańców Warszawy Str., 35-959 Rzeszów

    Every year, around 100,000 people die from snake bites around the world, and at least four times as many are
    seriously wounded. The most common symptoms observed after viperid envenomation include local and systemic haemorrhages. Enzymes responsible for their formation are called snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and this work summarizes currently available knowledge about their structure, properties and activity. In addition, it presents the latest hypotheses regarding the causes of the entire process, including the mechanisms at the molecular and macroscopic level. The article also describes the history of discoveries and advancements that have gradually enriched knowledge in this topic over the years, eventually leading to an understanding of the causes and consequences of hemorrhagic activity of snake venom metaloproteinases.

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Published

2019-10-30

Issue

Vol. 68 No. 3 (2019): Varia

Section

Articles