THE ACTION OF THE ENZYMES OF THE VENOM OF CROTALUS ADAMANTEUS ON THE PROTEINS OF BLOOD AND MILK

¹ From the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati

1. The venom of Crotalus adamanteus contains one or more proteolytic enzymes which digest plasma and serum proteins, and, with less rapidity, crystallized serum albumin and fibrin. The proteinase studied here is probably different from that which acts with such speed on fibrinogen.

2. The venom has a weak but definite rennin action. Although the casein of the coagulated milk appears to be digested only to a slight extent, dissolved purified casein is rapidly and completely digested.

3. Crotalus venom transforms hemoglobin into methemoglobin, both in hemolyzed erythrocytes and in hemoglobin solution.