Crotoxin: Structural Studies, Mechanism of Action and Cloning of Its Gene

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to (1) gain greater insight into crotoxin and crotoxin homolog structure, in order to provide a better understanding of this class of rattlesnake neurotoxin; (2) develop as in vitro system for examining presynaptic neurotoxin mechanism of action; (3) clone the crotoxin gene as a first step in creating a non-toxic, but immunoreactive crotoxin analog; and (4) explore other possible non-toxic, crotoxin immunogens as potential vaccines against crotoxin and its homologos. Acidic ad basic subunits of crotoxin were sequenced and their higher-ordered structure examined by circular dichorism, fluorescence and FTIR. Effect of crotoxin subunit cross- linking on its toxicity and phospholipase activity were examined. Keywords: Crotoxin, Presynaptic neurotoxins, Rattlesnake toxins, Natural toxins.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADB148335

Entities

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  • Ivan I. Kaiser

Organizations

  • University of Wyoming

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  • Amino Acids
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical And Dental Materials
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Crystal Structure
  • Crystals
  • Genetic Structures
  • Ion Exchange
  • Medical Personnel
  • Molecular Biology
  • Polymeric Films
  • Proteins
  • Sequence Analysis
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  • Biotechnology