Coagulation FXa is the most important activator of prothrombin and its deficiency causes high tendency for bleeding. In cases where FXa deficiency is associated with the deficiencies of FVIIa, FVIII or FIXa (hemophilia B), the key factors of FX activation, recombinant FVIIa is used for treatment. From the venom of Vipera a. ammodytes we purified two metalloproteinases, VAFXA-I and VAFXA-II, that specifically activate FX to FXa. As they are not toxic and act independently of coagulation cofactors, they are good alternative to FVIIa. They could also be used for diagnosis of FX deficiency.
COBISS.SI-ID: 21894439
The contribution of antibodies directed against the two main toxic groups of proteins in the Vipera a. ammodytes venom, haemorrhagic metalloproteinases (H) and neurotoxic sPLA2s (Atxs), to the overall protective efficacy of the whole venom antisera was investigated. Using ELISA assays, we established a high correlation between the protective efficacy of the whole venom antisera in mice and their anti-Atxs antibody content which was not the case in the case of H. Therefore, the mouse model might not be optimal to evaluate neutralizing potential of the venom-specific antisera for human therapy.
COBISS.SI-ID: 21825831