Full length nucleotide sequence of a Factor V-like subunit of oscutarin from Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus (coastal Taipan)

Abstract

An Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus venom gland cDNA expression library was screened with antivenom. Positive clones were isolated and their nucleotide sequences determined. The complete sequence for a Factor V-like component from the Taipan venom prothrombin activator, oscutarin (EC 3.4.21.60) (Walker, F.J., Owen, W.G., Esmon, C.T., 1980. Characterization of the prothrombin activator from the venom of Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus (Taipan venom). Biochemistry, 19(5), 1020–1023; Speijer, H.G.R., Zwall, J., Robert, F.A., Rosing, J., 1986. Prothrombin acitvation by an activator from the venom of Oxyuranus Scutellatus (Taipan Snake). J. Biol. Chem. 261, 13258–13267) was determined from the sequencing of antigenic cDNA clones. The cDNA sequence encoded a protein of 1460 amino acid residues, including a 30-residue signal peptide. This sequence shared 95% sequence similarity with the non-enzymic subunit of the prothrombin activator (pseutarin C) from brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) venom. This sequence in turn has been reported to share high similarity with mammalian Factor V. Sequence comparisons indicated the size, charge and cleavage sites were conserved across the two species. This is the first nucleotide sequence of a Factor V-like component from Oxyuranus venom and the second sequence within Elapidae to be reported.