Consensus sequence L/PKSSLL mimics crucial epitope on Loop III of Taiwan cobra cardiotoxin

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Sep 25;387(3):617-22. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.07.097. Epub 2009 Jul 24.

Abstract

Phage display is effective in screening peptides that mimic venom's neutralizing epitopes. A phage display cyclized heptapeptide library (C7C library) was panned with purified divalent antivenin IgG, which neutralizes Naja naja atra venom (NAV) and Bungarus multicinctus venom (BMV). The selected heptapeptide sequences were aligned with known protein sequences of NAV and BMV in GenBank. One of the four consensus sequences, L/PKSSLL, mimicked the crucial epitope on Loop III of Taiwan cobra cardiotoxin that is associated with the venom's lethal potency. In dot blot analysis, several clones showed varying reactivities for NAV monovalent antivenin and lesser cross-reactions with BMV monovalent antivenin. The KSSLLRN-carrying phage occurred four times in selected clones and showed the strongest reactivity to NAV monovalent antivenin. Furthermore, the QDSLLPS-carrying phage also presented significant dot blot signal, indicating that the SLL sequence shared by these two clones may be a crucial antibody-binding site.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Cobra Cardiotoxin Proteins / chemistry*
  • Cobra Cardiotoxin Proteins / genetics
  • Cobra Cardiotoxin Proteins / immunology*
  • Consensus Sequence*
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes / chemistry*
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Mimicry*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Peptide Library
  • Protein Structure, Secondary

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Cobra Cardiotoxin Proteins
  • Epitopes
  • Peptide Library