The opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is immune to envenomation not only from local snakes but also from venomous snakes living abroad. By fractionating the opossum serum and identifying the active fraction against biological toxins, the research group of B. V. Lipps (Ophidia Products, Inc.) identified a protein, named the Lethal Toxin Neutralizing Factor (LTNF), that was able to neutralize snake venoms in mice. Further work identified a small peptide, the first 10 to 15 amino acids of the protein, to actively protect mice against the effects of the snake venom. The first eleven amino acids of the protein (LKAMDPTPPLW) have been expressed as 23 concatenated peptides in E. coli. The 11-mer, LTNF-11, was chemically synthesized and has been shown to completely neutralize Western Diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom in mice. The presentation will discuss the methods of expressing and purifying the peptide, as well as the details of the antivenom activity assay in mice.

Peptide that neutralizes rattlesnake venom in mice can be expressed in E. coli

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.