Snake venoms affecting the haemostatic mechanism--a consideration of their mechanisms, practical applications and biological significance.

Snake venoms contain a rich variety of factors affecting the haemostatic mechanism which can be broadly classified as possessing coagulatant, anticoagulant and haemorrhagic activity. Coagulant enzymes include activators of blood coagulation factors II (prothrombin), V and X; anticoagulants include protein C activators, inhibitors of prothrombin complex formation and fibrinogenases which can be further classified according to their specificity for the alpha-, beta- and gamma-chains of fibrinogen. Intermediate between true coagulants and true anticoagulants are the thrombin-like enzymes which bring about clotting in vitro but defibrination (anticoagulation) in vivo. Snake venoms also affect platelets either by inducing or inhibiting platelet aggregation and cause haemorrhage via an action on platelets or via proteolysis of the blood vessel wall. Haemorrhagins also include inter alia, the alpha-fibrinogenases. This rich diversity of snake venom components affecting haemostasis has enabled a range of practical applications to be established including therapeutic anticogulation with thrombin-like enzymes (Ancrod and Defibrase) and laboratory tests for individual haemostatic factors (protein C, prothrombin, factor X and lupus anticoagulant). This broad spectrum of materials in snake venoms suggests some evolutionary advantage to the venom producer, not only for dispatching prey but as agents which 'spread' the venom toxins throughout the body and initiate digestion.