Detection of alkaline phosphatase in venom by blotting methods.

Venom alkaline phosphatase was detected using a blotting method following electrophoresis. The enzyme gave strong reactions in some venoms, but was absent in other venoms, some within the same species. The mol. wt of the enzyme is close to 100,000 and its pI is between 3.6 and 4.8. The enzyme was inactivated by EDTA and 2-mercaptoethanol, and lost activity by freezing and thawing. Endogenous venom alkaline phosphatase can interfere with alkaline phosphatase-based detection methods. Pre-screening for endogenous venom alkaline phosphatase is recommended prior to using alkaline phosphatase-based detection methods when studying snake venom.