Acutolysin-A

Acutolysin-A is a P-I class snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP) isolated from the venom of the Five-pacer viper (Agkistrodon acutus) (UniProt: P18618). As a zinc-dependent endopeptidase, it specifically targets and degrades key components of the vascular basement membrane, such as type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin (PubMed: 9634601). This proteolytic activity leads to the weakening of capillary walls, resulting in the characteristic local and systemic hemorrhage observed in envenomated patients (PubMed: 15544518). Acutolysin-A is a primary target for therapeutic intervention using specific antivenoms, which neutralize the toxin to prevent further tissue damage and bleeding (PubMed: 11566310). Additionally, it serves as a model for studying the inhibition of metalloproteinases, with research exploring the efficacy of peptidomimetic inhibitors and chelating agents in mitigating venom-induced pathology (PubMed: 10454529).

Other names

Zinc metalloproteinase acutolysin-AAgkistrodon acutus hemorrhagic toxin IAcutolysin A

Neutralization of proteolytic activity by binding to the catalytic zinc site or through antibody-mediated sequestration to prevent basement membrane degradation (PubMed: 11566310, 10454529).