GLYCOSIDASES IN VENOMS

Animal venoms are rich sources of enzymes. Most enzymes found in animal venom are hydrolytic enzymes. A notable exception is L-amino acid oxidase, which is responsible for the yellow color of snake venom. Although a variety of enzymes are present in venom, only a few types have been extensively studied, most notably, proteolytic enzymes and phospholipase A2. There have been relatively few investigations on glycosidases in venom. Practically all studies on venom glycosidases have involved hyaluronidase. In addition, there are a few investigations on nicotinamide adenine nucleotidase (NADase), and polyand disaccharidases. An extensive review of venom glycosidases is presented here in order to provide an overall picture of this class of enzymes. Since hyaluronidase is more extensively investigated than other venom enzymes, it will be discussed in more detail.