ABSTRACT
Snake venom is composed of a mixture of proteins and peptides, many of which interfere with important physiological processes in the envenomated prey. Venoms from many snakes have been shown to contain proteolytic enzymes that interact with components of the hemostatic system and catalyze a broad range of reactions involving the coagulation cascade, the kallikrein-kinin and brinolytic systems, the complement system, endothelial cells, and blood platelets. One group of these enzymes has been identied as thrombin-like snake venom serine proteinases (TL-SVSPs) due to their thrombin-like activity. This review 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 role of TL-SVSPs in diagnostic medicine and clinical therapy is described.
