ON THE BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LIPOIDS THE ACTION OF KEPHALIN AND LECITHIN

Cobra hemolysis can be increased not only by lecithin, but also by kephalin. The latter lipoid however is less active in this respect than lecithin.

It is known from researches, chiefly performed by Ludecke (10), Manwaring (11), Delezenne, and Fourneau (12), that lecithin can be decomposed by the action of cobra venom by which procedure a mono-fatty-acid-lecithin is formed. This so called lecithide is responsible for the hemolytic action of cobra venomlecithin mixtures. It is probable, that the hemolytic action of cobra venom-kephalin mixtures depends on a similar mechanism, but we were not in a position to decide the matter. We wish, however, to record some observations made in the course of our experiments. Firstly we noted that the action of cobra venom on kephalin resulted in the formation of an acid, depending on the duration of the action. The acid production could be followed by titration. When cobra venom-kephalin mixtures were kept at 37°C, during twenty-four hours, the mixture became soluble in alcohol and acetone. Hence it is probable that the kephalin was decomposed by the action of cobra venom.