A Purification of Venom Phosphodiesterase

For purposes of analysis of polynucleotides, it is desirable to have a phosphodiesterase, substantially free of 5-nucleotidase or other phosphatase activity. The presence of a phosphodiesterase in a wide variety of venoms was demonstrated by Gullan and Jackson (1). These venoms were found also to contain a potent 5-nucleotidase, but were free of alkaline phosphatase activity. Hurst and Butler (2) found that certain samples of Russell's viper venom were nearly free of 5-nucleotidase activity, while retaining potent phosphodiesterase action. By a chromatographic procedure, involving the use of cellulose columns, they were able to reduce the 5-nucleotidase activity of rattlesnake venom, relative to its phosphodiesterase activity, and to obtain fractions nearly comparable to the viper venom.