Identification and characterization of B-cell epitopes of 3FTx and PLA2 toxins from Micrurus corallinus snake venom

• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.10.015
• Publication Date: 2014-10-29T22:36:13Z
• Authors: K.L. Castro; C.G. Duarte; H.R. Ramos; R.A. Machado de A...; F.S. Schneider; D. Oliveira; C.F. Freitas; E. Kalapothakis; P.L. Ho; C. Chávez-Olortegui
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Micrurus corallinus snake venom; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Molecular Sequence Data; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; Toxicology; Epitopes; 03 medical and health sciences; Neutralization Tests; Animals; Amino Acid Sequence; Elapidae; Toxins, Biological; Elapid Venoms; Three-finger toxins (3FTx); Synthetic peptides; [SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio]; Phospholipases A2; Immunoglobulin G; Antibody Formation; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; Phospholipase A2 (PLA2); Peptides; Brazil; Antivenoms

The main goal of this work was to develop a strategy identify B-cell epitopes on four different three finger toxins (3FTX) and one phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from Micrurus corallinus snake venom. 3FTx PLA2 are highly abundant components in Elapidic venoms the major responsibles for toxicity observed envenomation by coral snakes. Overlapping peptides sequence each toxin were prepared SPOT method anti-elapidic sera used map epitopes. After immunogenicity analysis spot-reactive EPITOPIA, computational method, nine sequences five chemically synthesized antigenically immunogenically characterized. All together as immunogens rabbits, delivered with Freund's adjuvant first cycle immunization Montanide second. A good antibody response against individual synthetic M. venom achieved. Anti-peptide IgGs also cross-reactive frontalis lemniscatus crude venoms. In addition, anti-peptide inhibits lethal phospholipasic activities Our results provide rational basis identification neutralizing show that their corresponding could improve generation immuno-therapeutics. use peptide is reasonable approach, since it enables poly-specificity, low risk toxic effects large scale production.