Supramolecular Hybrids of Proteins from Habu Snake Venom with Discrete [Pt(CN)₄]^2– Complex

The venom of the Habu snake <i>Protobothrops flavoviridis</i> (<i>P. flavoviridis</i>) is known to contain a diverse array of proteins and peptides, with a notable presence of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) enzymes. These PLA₂ enzymes have been extensively studied for their function and molecular evolution. Nevertheless, several aspects, such as the physical properties and the self-assembly mechanism of hierarchical structure from the nanoscale to the microscale with different chemical compounds, remain poorly understood. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the behavior of enzyme components purified from <i>P. flavoviridis</i> venom in the presence of anionic [Pt(CN)₄]^2- complexes, which have the potential for soft metallophilic interactions and interesting optical properties. The purified PLA₂ isozymes were diluted in Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (D-PBS (-)) and combined with the anionic metal complex, resulting in the formation of microstructures several micrometers in size, which further grew to form fibrous structures. This novel approach of combining PLA₂ enzymes with discrete functional metal complexes opens up exciting possibilities for designing flexible and functional supramolecular and biomolecular hybrid systems in aqueous environments. These findings shed light on the potential applications of snake venom enzymes in nanotechnology and bioengineering.