Biochemical and kinetic properties of crude phospholipase A₂ from <i>Naja nigricollis</i> venom

Abstract

Snake envenomation has been a source of concern worldwide due to potential mortality risks associated with it. This study was carried out to investigate the biochemical and kinetic properties of crude phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) from Naja nigricollis venom. Biochemical and kinetic properties of the venom was determined using standard procedure. Though the results showed that the enzyme PLA₂ is stable at pH 4 and 6, the optimum pH of activity of the PLA₂ is 3, while the optimum temperature of activity of the enzyme is 70 ^oC. Of all the activators used (CoCl₂, CaCl₂, MnCl₂ and MgCl₂), MgCl₂ was the highest activator of the enzyme activity at 5 mM. The suggestive amino acids in the active site of the PLA₂ were aspartate and glutamate. The kinetic parameters, K_m and V_max of the PLA₂ were found to be 0.6 mg/ml and 3.3 μmol/min respectively. These findings could lend support to more understanding of biochemical and kinetic properties of crude Naja nigricollis PLA₂.