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  • Wed. Nov 20th, 2024
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Recently, scientists have traced the mechanisms of the toxic action of cobra venom.

About Cytotoxins:

  • The Cytotoxins (CTXs) are an essential class of the non-enzymatic three-finger toxin family and are ubiquitously present in cobra venoms.
  • These low-molecular-mass toxins, contributing to about 40 to 60% of the cobra venom proteome, play a significant role in cobra venom-induced toxicity, more prominently in dermonecrosis (local effects).
  • Some CTXs are also responsible for depolarizing neurons and heart muscle membranes, thereby contributing to cardiac failures frequently observed in cobra-envenomed victims. Consequently, they are also known as cardiotoxins (CdTx).
  • Interestingly, the proportion of cobra venom CTXs varies dramatically across different cobra species.
  • Usually, venoms from African spitting cobras have a higher proportion of CTXs than the Asiatic cobra ones, indicating geographical variation in snake venom composition.

Key facts about the Cobra

  • Cobras (genus Naja) are widely distributed over Asia and Africa.
  • Cobra bites are responsible for large mortality and morbidity on these continents, including the Indian sub-continent.
  • Cobra venoms are neurotoxic. However, they also exhibit local cytotoxic effects at the envenomed site, and the extent of cytotoxicity may vary from species to species.

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