Identification of protein c activator from nine species of Chinese snake venoms

AIM:To determine which species of snake venoms contained protein c activator among 9 species of Chinese snake venoms. METHODS: Anticoagulant activity was examined by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay,and amidolytic activity was measured with activated protein c (APC) specific chromogenic peptide substrate-chromozy APC. RESULTS: Among 9 species of Chinese snake venoms,Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom and Agkistrodon halys venom were not only able to generate amidolytic activity from purified human PC, but also prolonged APTT strongly even at such a concentration as 1.5 mg/L. CONCLUSION:Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom and Agkistrodon halys venom contain protein c activator which activating human plasma PC into APC.