|
1-5 of 5 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
denatured venom proteins and antivenom
|
Reply
|
|
by nietzsche on May 19, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hi Folks,
Does anyone happen to know if it is possible to use snake venom that has had the proteins denatured to produce antivenom? If so, could it be used in higher doses than venom with active proteins?
Thanks for the help,
Kelly
|
| |
|
RE: denatured venom proteins and antivenom
|
Reply
|
|
by Crotalusssp on May 19, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I am not 100% sure of this answer, but I believe there would be problems. Snake venom is made of proteins which function as enzymes. Enzymes have 3 dimensional specific structures at the molecular level. In other words they fit specifically to a substrate like a lock and key. The structures can be affected by changes in pH and temperature, thus slowing or stopping the enzymatic activity. These denatured enzymes would not illicit an immune response in the same manner as say an injection of a dead or weakened virus.
Interesting question. I would like to hear a more/ specific answer from others.
Charles
|
| |
|
RE: denatured venom proteins and antivenom
|
Reply
|
|
by LarryDFishel on May 19, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I might be misinterpreting your question, but in spite of the simplistic descriptions found in the media, antivenom does NOT contain ANY snake venom. So, denaturing the venom used would have no effect on the amount of antivenom that the human body could tolerate.
Venom is injected into an animal over a period of time and then antibodies are extracted from the animal's blood and that's what goes into antiveom (still simplified).
If the venom could be "denatured" in such a way that it is non-toxic but still recognized by the animal's immune system then possibly higher doses could be used at this stage ang perhaps create a more concentrated antivenom. For all I know, they may already be doing this...
|
| |
|
RE: denatured venom proteins and antivenom
|
Reply
|
|
by venominme on May 19, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Venom that had been denatured might be called a toxoid. They have been used in many experiments and for producing antiserum in animals (and humans) with very necrotic venom types. Toxoids can be made by exposure of the venom to very specific gamma radiation or mixing equal parts dihydrothioctic acid, for just two examples. There are more. Many experiments have been done to produce venom toxoids that were unsuccessful. It is the basis for the earliest experiments with producing antibodies, the notion of using attenuated (weakened) viruses to induce the immune response without causing the disease. That was Lois Pasteur’s greatest discovery, besides the whole “pasteurization” thing, which of course bears his name. Pretty cool dude, that Pasteur.
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
