American experts from Scripps Research Medical Institute in California have developed a drug that neutralizes the poison of the world’s most dangerous snakes, including the king cobra and black mamba. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Science Translational Medicine (STM).
The antivenom is based on an antibody that blocks a key toxin found in many snake species. The discovery was made while investigating methods to combat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using broad-spectrum proteins. Like HIV, snake toxins have conserved regions that cannot provide protection through mutation.
In the new study, researchers isolated and compared venom proteins from different elapids, the main snake group that includes mambas, cobras, and kraits (a snake species whose venom is second only to cobras).
They found that three-finger toxins 3FTx (a type of protein found in all elapids) contain small, uniform regions. Additionally, 3FTx are thought to be highly toxic and cause paralysis in the body, making them an ideal therapeutic target.
The scientists inserted the genes for 16 different 3FTx into mammalian cells and then screened a library of more than 50 billion antibodies to find the element that could bind to 3FTx. After a series of tests, experts discovered a suitable sample called 95Mat5.
The antibody was tested on mice. The protein not only saved the lives of rodents when administered lethal doses of poison from the multibanded krait, black mamba, king cobra and Indian spitting cobra, but also protected the animals from paralysis.
Scientists noted that 95Mat5 could not prevent viper venom. However, this problem can be overcome by combining it with other suitable antibodies. The protein thus paves the way for the development of a universal antidote that would neutralize the venom of every snake in the world.
Spider venom before returned It turns into an effective medicine against heart attack.