Influence of ionizing radiation on crotoxin: biochemical and immunological aspects.
Irradiation of crotoxin and its subunits with 2000 Gy of gamma-rays from 60Co source leads to aggregation and generation of lower mol. wt breakdown products. Aggregates separated by gel filtration retain at least part of their higher-ordered structure, based on their reactivity with monoclonal antibodies known to react with conformational epitopes in native crotoxin. These same aggregates can serve as antigens to raise antisera that cross-react and neutralize crotoxin. Compared with native crotoxin, aggregates appear less myotoxic, are largely devoid of phospholipase activity, and are virtually non-toxic in mice. These results indicate that irradiation of toxic proteins can promote significant detoxification, but still retain many of the original antigenic and immunological properties of native crotoxin.
Do Nascimento
N
N
IPEN-CNEN/SP São Paulo, Brazil.
Seebart
C S
CS
Francis
B
B
Rogero
J R
JR
Kaiser
I I
II
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003035:Cobalt; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D003035:Cobalt; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D010740:Phospholipases