Snake Venom Database: Venom Components, Toxins, Applications

Cytotoxins

Cytotoxins (CTXs), are the most established cytotoxic component of venom. They are single-chain polypeptides of 59-61 amino acids. CTXs are basic proteins with hydrophobic three–finger loops.

Snake venom enzyme L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs), is known for its potent cytotoxicity which induce apoptosis but trigger tissue necrosis at high concentration through the liberation of hydrogen peroxide. Another venom enzyme, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), is also known to cause cytotoxicity. These cytotoxins kill cells by non-selectively disrupting cell membranes. Cytotoxins exhibit various physiological effects which are mainly regulated by modifying cell membrane structure and function. Various pharmacological applications have been suggested for cytotoxins such as their ability to destroy various types of cancer cells

Summary table:

Venom Components	Types of toxin	Toxin activity	Functions (Target/Action)	Family/ Species	References (PubMed ID, Others)
Acidic phospholipaseA2	Neurotoxin, Cytotoxin, Hemotytic	Anticancer, Anti-coagulant	Anticoagulant activities, hemolytic and cytotoxic activities. Inhibits cell migration in human skin melanoma cells and reduces tumor lung colonization of melanoma cells in BALB/c mice	Daboia ruselli siamensis	22091349
Cytotoxin drCT1 (Three-finger cytotoxin)	Neurotoxin, Cytotoxin, Cardiotoxin, Myotoxin	Anticancer, Anti-proliferative	It has antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptotic activities. This protein possess anticancer potential. Also it shows neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and myotoxicity	Daboia russelii ruselli	17055549, 16511326
Peptides (Cardiotoxin III, Cytotoxin P4, Cathelicidin-BF, Lectins)	Cytotoxic	Antitumor, Anti-invasive	Blocks migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Cytotoxic effects and inhibits cell adhesion, Inhibits angiogenesis	Naja naja atra, Naja naja nigricollis, Bungarus fasciatus, Bothrophs jararacusus, Macrovipera labetina, Echis multisquamatus	24683541, 11137138, 15763081, 1419110, 1772420, 1440650, 10933804, 24683541, 11478954, 17300927, 12475639
Cytotoxin 1	Bactericidal activity	Anti-micorbial	Cytotoxicity	Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	20595038
Cytotoxin 1	Cytotoxicity	Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	Produces irreversible complete blockade of auricular contractionmat high concentrations. Possess anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory potential. Shows no cytolytic activity	Naja kaouthia	20595038
Cytotoxin (1-7)	Cytotoxicity	Cytotoxin	Basic protein that binds to cell membrane and depolarizes cardiomyocytes. It also possesses lytic activity on many other cells, including red blood cells.	Naja mossambica, Naja atra, Naja pallid, Naja kaouthia	8619792, 10708798, 5518165, 955081, 8448165, 8182052, 9245415, 15184042, 15922335, 16263708, 16407244, 17685633, 17714752, 8308891, 11669614, 12660250, 15590643
Beta-cardiotoxin CTX	Cytotoxin	Cytotoxicity	Acts as a beta-blocker by binding to beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors and can dose dependently decrease the heart rate	Ophiophagus hannah	15302536, 16689684, 24297900
Cytotoxin 1a/1b (Cardiotoxin-1a/1b)	Cytotoxin	Cytotoxicity	Shows cytolytic activity on many different cells by forming pore in lipid membranes.	Naja atra
Cardiotoxin-like basic polypeptide (Bibrotoxin, Haditoxin, Cytotoxin KJC3, Toxin FS-2, Sarafotoxin)	Cytolytic, Vasoconstriction	Cytotoxicity	These toxins cause cardiac arrest as a result of coronary vasospasm. Antagonist of muscle (alpha/ beta/ gamma/ delta) and neuronal. Shows cytolytic activity on many different cells by forming pore in lipid membranes. Specific blocker of the voltage-depend	Naja atra, Atractaspis bibronii, Ophiophagus hannah, Naja sputatrix, Atractaspis engaddensis	17277458, 8416802, 17616557, 880951, 8826098, 9636051, 7727450, 8428983, 3176048, 2845579, 1339278, 21889567, 2037041, 20504727, 7849060

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Data Summary

Updated December 30, 2024

Sequences (GenBank)	253,542
Proteins (GenBank & UniProt)	106,061
3D Structures (PDB)	523
Genes (RefSeq)	17,204
Literature (PubMed)	28,654