Abstract: An inorganic pyrophosphatase has been purified to apparent homogeniety from Indian cobra(Naja naja) venom, with a ten-fold increase in specific activity. The enzyme activity is intrinsic to a protein fraction in the venom which is normally termed cardiotoxin, cobramine, cytotoxin and so on. The enzyme shows a lowK m (70 μI) and high heat stability. The enzyme was active against sodium pyrophosphate; it also hydrolyses a few mononucletides and sugar phosphates at much lower rates. The physiological significance of inorganic pyrophosphatase in venom is discussed.

Abstract: 1. 1. A complex mixture of membrane active toxins from the venom of the Thailand cobra, Naja naja siamensis , have been separated into four components (A-D-D). 2. 2. All four toxins were nearly identical in charge and size (mol. wt: 7500)although toxin A was clearly resolved from the other toxins in polyacrylamide gels at pH 24. 3. 3. Each toxin possessed hemolytic and toxic properties characteristic of their action as cobra venom cardiotoxins. 4. 4. Initial rate of toxin induced human erythrocyte lysis increased with decreasing LD 50 for toxins , A, C and D, respectively. 5. 5. Direct measurement of phospolipase activity showed that toxins B, C and wewere effectively free of such activity while toxin A was not. 6. 6. Ca +2 inhibited the hemolytic action of toxin D while promoting its synergistic action with added venom phospholipase.

Abstract: This paper reports the chromosomal number,the chromosomal type and the analysis of the karyotype of six species of venomous snakes i.e.Bunganrus multicinctus Blyth,Naja naja (Linnaeus),Agkislrodon acntus (Gunther),A.halys (Pallas),Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus and T.stejnegeri Schmidt.For Naja naja,the chromosome number of diploid cell is 38 (2n=38),but that of the other species is 36 (2n=36).The chromosomes of snakes can be classified into two groups:macrochromosomes and microehromosomes.The macrochromosomes are relatively large,therefore they can be measured.But the microehromosomes are in granular shape.They are too small to be measured.According to the size,shape and position of the centromere,the chromosomes are of three types:metacentric,submetaeentrie,and acrocentric.Table 1 lists the results obtained,including the relative length,arm ratio and centromere index of each chromosome.The sex of snakes is determined by the fourth pair of macrochromosomes which belongs to ZW type.That is to say that the sex chromosomes are ZW in the female and ZZ in the male.This shows that the type of sex chromosomes of snakes is similar to that of birds.Thus,this may be consiteredos one more evidence of the relationship of snakes with birds.