Origin and evolution of snake venom prothrombin activators

Abstract

Snake venom is a mixture of various proteins and peptides with distinct pharmacological properties. They have the unique aptitude to attack specific physiological systems of the prey with remarkable specificity and thereby obstruct the natural function culminating in death and debilitation of the victim. The origin of snake venom toxins is one of the most interesting question that intrigued scientists for a long time. In this chapter, we will discuss the origin of a particular group of venom proteins, namely prothrombin activators. The results from our recent studies provide molecular evidence that this class of deadly toxins have evolved by gene duplication and recruitment of blood coagulation factor gene. Thus a new toxin has evolved after recruitment from a simple body protein that is involved in its own lifesaving haemostasis.