Snake Venom Database: Venom Components, Toxins, Applications

Proteins & peptides

Non-enzymatic proteins & peptides
Polypeptides (molecular mass 5-10 kDa)
Polypeptide toxins include cytotoxins, cardiotoxins and postsynaptic neurotoxins (such as alpha-Bungarotoxin and alpha-Cobratoxin), which bind to acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junctions
Summary table:

Venom Components	Types of toxin	Toxin activity	Functions (Target/Action)	Family/ Species	References (PMID, Others)
Acetylcholinesterase	Neurotoxin	Anticancer	Terminates signal transduction at the neuromuscular junction by rapid hydrolysis of the acetylcholine released into the synaptic cleft. May be involved in cell-cell interactions	Torpedo californica	3753747
Alpha-elapitoxin-Nk2a	Neurotoxin	Anticancer	The monomeric form binds with high affinity to muscular and neuronal alpha-7/CHRNA7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Causes paralysis by preventing acetylcholine binding to the nAChR. In mice lung cancer, causes reduction of tumor growth	Naja kaouthia	18381281
C-type lectin (Calcium-dependent lectin)	Neurotoxin	Anticancer	Shows high hemagglutinating activity. In mice model it caused edema and increased vascular permeability. An effective inhibitor of cell growth in renal and pancreatic cancer cell lines, human breast and ovarian carcinoma, glioblastoma	Bothrops jararacussu	16309723, 10628348, 11478954
Acidic phospholipaseA2	Neurotoxin, Cytotoxin, Hemotytic	Anticancer, Anti-coagulant	Anticoagulant activities, hemolytic and cytotoxic activities. Inhibits cell migration in human skin melanoma cells and reduces tumor lung colonization of melanoma cells in BALB/c mice	Daboia ruselli siamensis	22091349
Cytotoxin drCT1 (Three-finger cytotoxin)	Neurotoxin, Cytotoxin, Cardiotoxin, Myotoxin	Anticancer, Anti-proliferative	It has antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptotic activities. This protein possess anticancer potential. Also it shows neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and myotoxicity	Daboia russelii ruselli	17055549, 16511326
PhospholipaseA2	Neurotoxin	Antitumor	PLA2 has a weak enzymatic activity. Inhibits neuromuscular transmission by blocking acetylcholine release from the nerve termini. PLA2 catalyzes the calcium-dependent hydrolysis of the 2-acyl groups in 3-sn-phosphoglycerides	Naja nigricollis, Bungarus fasciatus, Ophiophagus Hannah	17166178, 6784277, 2089739, 700923, 9028866, 12217659
L-Aminoacid oxidases (LAAO)	Cytotoxic, Apoptotic	Antitumor	Cytotoxicity in stomach cancer, murine melanoma, fibrosarcoma, colorectal and ovary cell lines. It induces apoptosis in human cervical cancer	Ophiophagus hanna, Agkistrodon halys, Crotalus atrox, Eristicophis macmahoni, Bothrops moojeni, Trimeresurus stejnnegeri, Trimresurus flavoviridis, Agkistrodon halys pallas, Vipera berus berus, Agkistrodo nacutus, Bothrops leucurus	24683541, 9304806, 8694800, 10727211, 11368308, 16026810, 12963032, 12650671, 19264509, 16574513, 18415865, 17275856
Metalloproteases (Crovidisin, Jararhagin, LeucurolysinB, TSVDM)	Pro-Apoptotic	Antitumor	Shows inhibition of melanoma cells and proapoptotic effect, interfering with the adhesion mechanisms. Apoptosis, inhibitor of cell proliferation and inducer of cell's morphologic changes	Crotalus viridis, Bothrops jararaca, Bothrops leucurus, Trimeresurus stejnegeri	24683541, 9016825, 12175610, 21539897
Disintigrins (Contortrostatin, Leucurogin, Saxatilin, Obtustatin, Adinbitor, Rhodocetin, Salmosin, Trigramin, Triflavin, Rhodostomin, Echistatin)	Peptide toxin	Antitumor, Anti-angiogenic, Anti-invasive, Anti-adhesive	Anti-invasive and anti-adhesive activities on tumor cells and endothelial cells. Inhibits the cell adhesion, migration, and collagen contraction. Inhibits the adhesion of melanoma cells to extracellular matrix components	Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix, Bothrops leucurus, Gloydius saxatilis, Vipera lebetina, Agkistrodon halys stejneger, Calloselasma rhodostoma, Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus, Trimeresurus gramineus, Trimeresurus flavoviridis, Agkistrodon rhodostoma	24683541, 7735124, 11025252, 15987550, 15041797, 14517425, 16487560, 14713370, 8695278, 21641921, 15188058, 10446992, 11910185, 10944460, 15644794, 7841039, 9457071, 14977354, 16286995, 1879472
Serine proteases (Crotalase, Batroxobin)	Cytotoxic	Antitumor	Inhibits tumor growth	Crotalus adamanteus, Bothrops moojeni	24683541, 3538422, 18830584
Peptides (Cardiotoxin III, Cytotoxin P4, Cathelicidin-BF, Lectins)	Cytotoxic	Antitumor, Anti-invasive	Blocks migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Cytotoxic effects and inhibits cell adhesion, Inhibits angiogenesis	Naja naja atra, Naja naja nigricollis, Bungarus fasciatus, Bothrophs jararacusus, Macrovipera labetina, Echis multisquamatus	24683541, 11137138, 15763081, 1419110, 1772420, 1440650, 10933804, 24683541, 11478954, 17300927, 12475639
Alpha-fibrinogenase (Chymotrypsin-like protease VLCTLP, Zinc metalloproteinase-disintegrin-like, Bradykinin-releasing enzyme KR-E-1, metalloproteinase, Thrombin-like enzyme ancrod, Snaclec anticoagulant protein A/B, Snaclec coagulation factor IX/factor X-binding protein subu	Proteolytic activity	Anti-coagulant	Degrades alpha and beta chains of fibrinogen (FGA), and has strong caseinolytic activity, inhibit platelet aggregation. Releases bradykinin from bovine HMW kininogen. This metalloproteinase displays proteolytic activity on fibrin, fibrinogen, collagen, ca	Macrovipera lebetina, Crotalus adamanteus, Protobothrops jerdonii, Bothrops moojeni, Gloydius ussuriensis, Bothrops jararacussu, Calloselasma rhodostoma, Deinagkistrodon acutus, Protobothrops flavoviridis, Bothrops jararaca, Hydrophis schistosus, Notechis	20186872, 14511668, 19732785, 22975266, 20950666, 3201479, 18006118, 1544412, 12175618, 11404471, 1831197, 2613688, 10558903, 15925567, 9346315, 8399228, 8703912, 9657441, 11051105, 11910195, 11858489, 16707920, 3117784, 1002692, 9604284, 1899180, 2781572
Phospholipase A2 (crotoxin basic subunit CBc, acidic phospholipaseA2)	Pro- and anti-inflammatory	Anti-inflammatory	This enzyme has been shown to induce the release of some pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines	Crotalus durissu scollilineatus, Bothrops leucurus	16003952, 17915277, 21699995
Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide	Bactericidal activity	Anti-micorbial	Potent antimicrobial peptide against most of Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria and some fungi. Adopts an amphipathic alpha helical conformation that allows to partition into the target membrane. No hemolytic and cytotoxic activities have been	Bungarus fasciatus, Pseudonaja textilis	18795096, 25100358
Zinc metalloproteinase-disintegrin-like	Bactericidal activity	Anti-micorbial	It shows bactericidal activity against E. coli and S. aureus	Bothrops jararacussu	17081786, 15246772
Basic phospholipase A2	Bactericidal activity	Anti-micorbial	It shows bactericidal activities against both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria	Bungarus fasciatus, Crotalus durissus ruruima, Bothrops pauloensis, Bothrops jararacussu, Bothrops moojeni, Crotalus durissus collilineatus	17383773, 19013478, 10860537, 9972319, 3176051, 11018293, 11829743
Acidic phospholipase A2	Bactericidal activity	Anti-micorbial	It shows a strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria	Bothrops jararacussu, Bothrops moojeni, Crotalus durissus collilineatus, Bothrops atrox	15214498, 12167491, 22571953, 16003952, 15225567
C-type lectinBpLec	Bactericidal activity	Anti-micorbial	It inhibits gram positive (S. aureus)	Bothrops pauloensis	23178369
L-amino-acid oxidase (ACTX-8, Cdc18)	Bactericidal activity	Anti-micorbial	It shows activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It binds to bacteria and shows antibacterial activities by generating hydrogen peroxide. In general, binding and antibacterial activities are higher against Gram-positive than agai	Pseudechis australis, Notechis scutatus scutatus, Demansia vestigiata, Crotalus atrox, Bungarus fasciatus, Gloydius blomhoffii, Bothrops atrox, Ophiophagus hannah, Bothrops jararaca, Deinagkistrodon acutus, Crotalus durissus cumanensis	1796476, 16261251, 17275856, 9083096, 11341935, 8694800, 19393676, 18804547, 21300133, 17543361, 9304806, 18346051, 19101583, 20615423, 18346051, 23287728
Serine proteases (Metalloprotease inhibitor, Thrombin-like enzyme crotalase, Fibrinogen-clotting enzyme)	Plasminogen activator	Anti- hypertensive	Serine protease activates plasminogen. Weakly hydrolyzes the alpha chain of human fibrinogen without releasing fibrinopeptide A. Does not hydrolyze plasma kallikrein or factor Xa. Does not clot fibrinogen. Does not affect platelet function. Thrombin-like	Lachesi smutamuta, Echis ocellatus, Crotalus adamanteus	17034951, 18029259, 1014024, 5132665
Cytotoxin 1	Bactericidal activity	Anti-micorbial	Cytotoxicity	Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	20595038
Cytotoxin 1	Cytotoxicity	Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	Produces irreversible complete blockade of auricular contractionmat high concentrations. Possess anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory potential. Shows no cytolytic activity	Naja kaouthia	20595038
Alpha-elapitoxin-(Nk2a, Nno2a.Ls2a)	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	The monomeric form binds with high affinity to muscular and neuronal alpha-7/CHRNA7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Causes paralysis by preventing acetylcholine binding to the nAChR. The homodimeric form binds with low affinity to muscular and	Naja kaouthia, Naja oxiana, Laticauda semifasciata	18381281, 6771288, 6553056, 2086254, 9053737, 9305882, 9840221, 10574958, 10852927, 18067132, 11867717, 6930640, 2279844, 1317211, 12133834, 15791209, 9920490, 12957382, 4616684, 8555211
Short neurotoxin (A,B, C, D)	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	Binds to muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and inhibit acetylcholine from binding to the receptor, thereby impairing neuromuscular transmission	Hydrophis schistosus, Naja oxiana, Naja annulifera, Naja pallid, Naja mossambica, Naja nivea, Hydrophis lapemoides, Aipysurus laevis, Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis, Dendroaspis viridis	4850498, 4747603, 8504813, 923577, 9305882, 1332755, 12538890, 6615431, 4995745, 5033401, 2847926, 1433289, 4091794, 4112538
Short neurotoxin (1,2, 3,4,5,6, 7) (OH-35, OKI-Ed)	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	Binds with high affinity to muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and hinders acetylcholine binding to the receptor, thereby impairing neuromuscular transmission. Competes with the binding of alpha-bungarotoxin on muscle AChR (from Torpedo) with	Pseudonaja textilis, Hydrophis cyanocinctus	10518793, 10818230, 16284125, 4830190, 8447823, 4855008, 21133350, 10497260
Long neurotoxin (1, 2, 3,4, 20) Long neurotoxin homolog (Pa ID, OH-5, OH-56, OH-37, OH-34)	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	Binds with high affinity to muscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), whereas it binds with a low affinity. Inhibits carbachol-induced muscle contraction in a reversible manner	Ophiophagus Hannah, Demansia vestigiata, Drysdalia coronoides, Pseudechis australis, Naja anchietae	14559085, 16284125, 16261251, 5033401
Weak neurotoxin (5,6,8,10, WNTX34, NNAM2)	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	Binds with low affinity to muscular (alpha-1-beta-1-epsilon-delta/CHRNA1-CHRNB1-CHRNE-CHRND) and very low affinity to neuronal (alpha7) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor	Naja sputatrix, Ophiophagus hannah, Naja atra, Laticauda semifasciata	9838137, 12199703, 14572646, 16689684, 24297900, 2060629
Kappa-2/3-bungarotoxin	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	Postsynaptic neurotoxin that binds and inhibits neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) with high affinity (IC50<100 nM). Is a selective, and slowly reversible antagonist of alpha-3/CHRNA3-containing and some alpha-4/CHRNA4-containing AChRs	Bungarus multicinctus	2315018, 12403176, 2322821
Erabutoxin (a, b,c)	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	Binds with high affinity to muscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and with low affinity to neuronal alpha-7 nAChRs and inhibit acetylcholine from binding to the receptor, thereby impairing neuromuscular transmission. Produces peripheral para	Laticauda semifasciata	9305882, 9840221, 2249684, 12957382, 4664580, 5166329, 588261
Cobrotoxin (II, b, c)	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	Binds to muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and inhibit acetylcholine from binding to the receptor, thereby impairing neuromuscular transmission. Has a higher toxicity than cobrotoxin-b. Produces peripheral paralysis by blocking neuromuscular	Naja atra, Naja kaouthia	9367842, 5820687, 8448165, 5533659, 12039691, 11904231
Cysteine-rich protein (pseudecin, LEI1, pseudechetoxin-like, ablomin, trifling, ophanin, catrin)	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	Blocks olfactory (CNGA2) and retinal (CNGA1) CNG channel currents. Blocks contraction of smooth muscle elicited by high potassium-induced depolarization, but does not block caffein-stimulated contraction. May target voltage-gated calcium channels on smoot	Pseudechis porphyriacus, Philodryas olfersii, Trimeresurus stejnegeri, Leioheterodon madagascariensis, Pseudonaja textilis, Gloydius blomhoffii, Protobothrops flavoviridis, Ophiophagus Hannah, Crotalus atrox	12234174, 16857193, 16292255, 24297900, 16261251, 16284125
Taicatoxin, alpha-neurotoxin-like component	Neurotoxicity	Neurotoxin	The heterotrimer blocks the voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels (Cav1/CACNA1) from the heart, and the small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (KCa2/KCNN) in the chromaffin cells and in the brain	Oxyuranus scutellatus	8901456, 9242659, 15855042
Dendrotoxin (A/B)	Neurotoxicity	Dendrotoxin	Inhibits acetylcholinesterase. Has been described to inhibit both the slowly and the rapidly inactivating phases of potassium efflux.	Dendroaspis angusticeps	1304870
Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor homolog dendrotoxin (I/K/E/A)	Neurotoxicity	Dendrotoxin	Serine protease inhibitor homolog that blocks voltage-gated potassium channels and facilitates neurotransmitter release. Binds transition metal ions such as copper and cobalt.	Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis, Dendroaspis angusticeps	8612784, 10698633 10429207, 913421, 10936620, 23771044, 668688
Cytotoxin (1-7)	Cytotoxicity	Cytotoxin	Basic protein that binds to cell membrane and depolarizes cardiomyocytes. It also possesses lytic activity on many other cells, including red blood cells.	Naja mossambica, Naja atra, Naja pallid, Naja kaouthia	8619792, 10708798, 5518165, 955081, 8448165, 8182052, 9245415, 15184042, 15922335, 16263708, 16407244, 17685633, 17714752, 8308891, 11669614, 12660250, 15590643
Beta-cardiotoxin CTX	Cytotoxin	Cytotoxicity	Acts as a beta-blocker by binding to beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors and can dose dependently decrease the heart rate	Ophiophagus hannah	15302536, 16689684, 24297900
Cytotoxin 1a/1b (Cardiotoxin-1a/1b)	Cytotoxin	Cytotoxicity	Shows cytolytic activity on many different cells by forming pore in lipid membranes.	Naja atra
Cardiotoxin-like basic polypeptide (Bibrotoxin, Haditoxin, Cytotoxin KJC3, Toxin FS-2, Sarafotoxin)	Cytolytic, Vasoconstriction	Cytotoxicity	These toxins cause cardiac arrest as a result of coronary vasospasm. Antagonist of muscle (alpha/ beta/ gamma/ delta) and neuronal. Shows cytolytic activity on many different cells by forming pore in lipid membranes. Specific blocker of the voltage-depend	Naja atra, Atractaspis bibronii, Ophiophagus hannah, Naja sputatrix, Atractaspis engaddensis	17277458, 8416802, 17616557, 880951, 8826098, 9636051, 7727450, 8428983, 3176048, 2845579, 1339278, 21889567, 2037041, 20504727, 7849060

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Data Summary

Updated April 20, 2024

Sequences (GenBank)	253,480
Proteins (GenBank & UniProt)	105,990
3D Structures (PDB)	523
Genes (RefSeq)	17,204
Literature (PubMed)	28,654