Crude venom of Echis coloratus was separated into seven protein fractions using 7% preparative native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The effect of crude venom and seven venom protein fractions (F1-F7) from Echis coloratus on key metabolic activities of fibroblast cultures was investigated. Confluent cultures were incubated with the venom proteins for 3 h at 37 degrees C. The specific activity of phosphofructokinase, was significantly lowered upon incubation with the crude venom and with fractions 2, 3, 4 and 6. Citrate synthase activity was significantly lowered by the crude venom and by fractions 2 and 3. Glycogen phosphorylase activity was significantly increased by the crude venom and by fractions 2, 3, 4 and 6 leading to a significant concurrent drop in glycogen content. Creatine kinase activity was significantly increased by the crude venom and by fractions 3, 4, 5 and 6. Cellular ATP levels rose significantly upon incubation with the crude venom and with fractions 3, 4, 5 and 6. Incubation of cell sonicates with all the venom proteins did not significantly alter the activity or content of any of the studied parameters.

Crude venom of Echis coloratus was separated into seven protein fractions using 7% preparative native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The effect of crude venom and seven venom protein fractions (F1-F7) from Echis coloratus on key metabolic activities of fibroblast cultures was investigated. Confluent cultures were incubated with the venom proteins for 3 h at 37 degrees C. The specific activity of phosphofructokinase, was significantly lowered upon incubation with the crude venom and with fractions 2, 3, 4 and 6. Citrate synthase activity was significantly lowered by the crude venom and by fractions 2 and 3. Glycogen phosphorylase activity was significantly increased by the crude venom and by fractions 2, 3, 4 and 6 leading to a significant concurrent drop in glycogen content. Creatine kinase activity was significantly increased by the crude venom and by fractions 3, 4, 5 and 6. Cellular ATP levels rose significantly upon incubation with the crude venom and with fractions 3, 4, 5 and 6. Incubation of cell sonicates with all the venom proteins did not significantly alter the activity or content of any of the studied parameters.