ABSTRACT
Snake venom is composed of a combination of peptides and proteins that have evolved to interact with different systems in the targeted prey of the snake. In this complex mixture, there are a number of proteinases that interact with components of the hemostatic system. The venom of many snakes contains enzymes that catalyze a broad range of reactions involving the coagulation cascade, the kallikrein-kinin and fibrinolytic systems, the complement system, endothelial cells and blood platelets. One group of these enzymes have been identified as thrombin-like snake venom serine proteinases (TL-SVSP) due to their thrombin-like activity. This chapter details the mechanism of action of this class of enzymes and describes their biological activities with a focus on the relationship between protein structure and function. In addition, the current state of the clinical role of TL-SVSPs in therapeutic and diagnostic medicine is described.
