Studies on Venom of the fish Scatophagus Argus from Cochin Estuary-A Biochemical Approach

Studies reveal the presence of enzymes and different proteins in the venom of S.argus. The present study detected the presence of phosphodiesterase in S. argus venom. S. argus venom has displayed the presence of micromolar concentration of acetylcholine. Phospholipase activity in S. argus venom shows values below the detection threshold indicating that the venom does not possess this enzyme. The proteolylic activity of S. argus venom on casein and gelatin were assayed due to the probable involvement of proteases in causing the instability of biological activities of the fish venom. Caseinase and gelatinase enzymes were detected in S. argus venom. Though exact relationships of these enzymes and proteins in envenomation are not traced, the involvement of enzymes in envenomation cannot be ruled out. Further studies are required to find the mechanism of action of these enzymes and proteins present in S. argus venom. The present study opens new dimensions for isolation of the lethal compound present in S. argus venom. The preliminary study carried out here shows the presence of a lethal factor between 6.5 KDa - 68 KDa. Studies conclude that fish venom possesses many bioactive substances, especially peptides, proteases and enzymes that bind with high affinity to physiological targets and can be trapped for therapeutic purposes in the near future. Even though this study reveals the conundrums of S. argus venom, it opens new vistas of research on the venom components and the application and design of the venom as a drug.

Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology