Molecular diversity of snake venom nerve growth factors.

Abstract Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein which stimulates the differentiation and maintenance of sympathetic and embryonic sensory neurons. Snake venoms are a rich source of NGF. Due to small quantities it is sometimes difficult and laborious to isolate NGF from the venoms. In this study the use of Ni-NTA-agarose for isolation of NGF is studied. Anti- Vipera lebetina NGF antibodies were used for identification of NGF during Ni-NTA-agarose fractionation as well as for cross-reaction studies with 21 snake venoms. All studied venoms contained NGF. The molecular masses of the NGFs from Echis ocellatus , Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix , A. bilineatus , A. blomhoffii , A. saxatilis , Calloselasma rhodostoma , Bothrops jararaca and B. lanceolatus were determined for the first time. Some previous results of the NGF studies are revaluated.