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Damsbo A, Rimbault C, Burlet NJ, Vlamynck A, Bisbo I, Belfakir SB, Laustsen AH, Rivera-de-Torre E. A comparative study of the performance of E. coli and K. phaffii for expressing α-cobratoxin. Toxicon 2024; 239:107613. [PMID: 38218383 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Three-finger toxins (3FTxs) have traditionally been obtained via venom fractionation of whole venoms from snakes. This method often yields functional toxins, but it can be difficult to obtain pure isoforms, as it is challenging to separate the many different toxins with similar physicochemical properties that generally exist in many venoms. This issue can be circumvented via the use of recombinant expression. However, achieving the correct disulfide bond formation in recombinant toxins is challenging and requires extensive optimization of expression and purification methods to enhance stability and functionality. In this study, we investigated the expression of α-cobratoxin, a well-characterized 3FTx from the monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia), in three different expression systems, namely Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells with the csCyDisCo plasmid, Escherichia coli SHuffle cells, and Komagataella phaffii (formerly known as Pichia pastoris). While none of the tested systems yielded α-cobratoxin identical to the variant isolated from whole venom, the His6-tagged α-cobratoxin expressed in K. phaffii exhibited a comparable secondary structure according to circular dichroism spectra and similar binding properties to the α7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The findings presented here illustrate the advantages and limitations of the different expression systems and can help guide researchers who wish to express 3FTxs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Damsbo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Rimbault
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nick J Burlet
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anneline Vlamynck
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ida Bisbo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Selma B Belfakir
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; VenomAid Diagnostics ApS, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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Uko SO, Malami I, Ibrahim KG, Lawal N, Bello MB, Abubakar MB, Imam MU. Revolutionizing snakebite care with novel antivenoms: Breakthroughs and barriers. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25531. [PMID: 38333815 PMCID: PMC10850593 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a global public health concern, primarily due to the lack of effective antivenom for treating snakebites inflicted by medically significant venomous snakes prevalent across various geographic locations. The rising demand for safe, cost-effective, and potent snakebite treatments highlights the urgent need to develop alternative therapeutics targeting relevant toxins. This development could provide promising discoveries to create novel recombinant solutions, leveraging human monoclonal antibodies, synthetic peptides and nanobodies. Such technologies as recombinant DNA, peptide and epitope mapping phage display etc) have the potential to exceed the traditional use of equine polyclonal antibodies, which have long been used in antivenom production. Recombinant antivenom can be engineered to target certain toxins that play a critical role in snakebite pathology. This approach has the potential to produce antivenom with improved efficacy and safety profiles. However, there are limitations and challenges associated with these emerging technologies. Therefore, identifying the limitations is critical for overcoming the associated challenges and optimizing the development of recombinant antivenoms. This review is aimed at presenting a thorough overview of diverse technologies used in the development of recombinant antivenom, emphasizing their limitations and offering insights into prospects for advancing recombinant antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Odo Uko
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical and Life Sciecnes, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Malami
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Kasimu Ghandi Ibrahim
- Department of Basic Medical and Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Zarqa University, P. O. Box 2000, Zarqa, 13110, Jordan
| | - Nafiu Lawal
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Muhammad Bashir Bello
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Vaccine Development Unit, Infectious Disease Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Murtala Bello Abubakar
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Baze University, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Mustapha Umar Imam
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
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Rimbault C, Knudsen PD, Damsbo A, Boddum K, Ali H, Hackney CM, Ellgaard L, Bohn MF, Laustsen AH. A single-chain variable fragment selected against a conformational epitope of a recombinantly produced snake toxin using phage display. N Biotechnol 2023; 76:23-32. [PMID: 37037303 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Phage display technology is a powerful tool for selecting monoclonal antibodies against a diverse set of antigens. Within toxinology, however, it remains challenging to generate monoclonal antibodies against many animal toxins, as they are difficult to obtain from venom. Recombinant toxins have been proposed as a solution to overcome this challenge, but so far, few have been used as antigens to generate neutralizing antibodies. Here, we describe the recombinant expression of α-cobratoxin in E. coli and its successful application as an antigen in a phage display selection campaign. From this campaign, an scFv (single chain variable fragment) was isolated with similar binding affinity to a control scFv generated against the native toxin. The selected scFv recognizes a structural epitope, enabling it to inhibit the interaction between the acetylcholine receptor and the native toxin in vitro. This approach represents the first entirely in vitro antibody selection strategy for generating neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against a snake toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Rimbault
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pelle D Knudsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Damsbo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kim Boddum
- Sophion Bioscience A/S, DK-2750 Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Hanif Ali
- Quadrucept Bio Ltd, Kemp House, 152 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, United Kingdom
| | - Celeste M Hackney
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Markus-Frederik Bohn
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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4
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Ljungars A, Laustsen AH. Neutralization capacity of recombinant antivenoms based on monoclonal antibodies and nanobodies. Toxicon 2023; 222:106991. [PMID: 36481349 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.106991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Ljungars
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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Venom Variation of Neonate and Adult Chinese Cobras in Captivity Concerning Their Foraging Strategies. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14090598. [PMID: 36136536 PMCID: PMC9501182 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The venom and transcriptome profile of the captive Chinese cobra (Naja atra) is not characterized until now. Here, LC-MS/MS and illumine technology were used to unveil the venom and trascriptome of neonates and adults N. atra specimens. In captive Chinese cobra, 98 co-existing transcripts for venom-related proteins was contained. A total of 127 proteins belong to 21 protein families were found in the profile of venom. The main components of snake venom were three finger toxins (3-FTx), snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP), cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP), cobra venom factor (CVF), and phosphodiesterase (PDE). During the ontogenesis of captive Chinese cobra, the rearrangement of snake venom composition occurred and with obscure gender difference. CVF, 3-FTx, PDE, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in adults were more abundant than neonates, while SVMP and CRISP in the neonates was richer than the adults. Ontogenetic changes in the proteome of Chinese cobra venom reveals different strategies for handling prey. The levels of different types of toxin families were dramatically altered in the wild and captive specimens. Therefore, we speculate that the captive process could reshape the snake venom composition vigorously. The clear comprehension of the composition of Chinese cobra venom facilitates the understanding of the mechanism of snakebite intoxication and guides the preparation and administration of traditional antivenom and next-generation drugs for snakebite.
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Bhatia S, Blotra A, Vasudevan K. Evaluating Antivenom Efficacy against Echis carinatus Venoms—Screening for In Vitro Alternatives. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14070481. [PMID: 35878219 PMCID: PMC9322380 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14070481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In India, polyvalent antivenom is the mainstay treatment for snakebite envenoming. Due to batch-to-batch variation in antivenom production, manufacturers have to estimate its efficacy at each stage of IgG purification using the median effective dose which involves 100–120 mice for each batch. There is an urgent need to replace the excessive use of animals in snake antivenom production using in vitro alternatives. We tested the efficacy of a single batch of polyvalent antivenom from VINS bioproducts limited on Echis carinatus venom collected from three different locations—Tamil Nadu (ECVTN), Goa (ECVGO) and Rajasthan (ECVRAJ)—using different in vitro assays. Firstly, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC-HPLC) was used to quantify antivenom–venom complexes to assess the binding efficiency of the antivenom. Secondly, clotting, proteolytic and PLA2 activity assays were performed to quantify the ability of the antivenom to neutralize venom effects. The use of both binding and functional assays allowed us to measure the efficacy of the antivenom, as they represent multiple impacts of snake envenomation. The response from the assays was recorded for different antivenom–venom ratios and the dose–response curves were plotted. Based on the parameters that explained the curves, the efficacy scores (ES) of antivenom were computed. The binding assay revealed that ECVTN had more antivenom–venom complexes formed compared to the other venoms. The capacity of antivenom to neutralize proteolytic and PLA2 effects was lowest against ECVRAJ. The mean efficacy score of antivenom against ECVTN was the greatest, which was expected, as ECVTN is mainly used by antivenom manufacturers. These findings pave a way for the development of in vitro alternatives in antivenom efficacy assessment.
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Virus-like particles displaying conserved toxin epitopes stimulate polyspecific, murine antibody responses capable of snake venom recognition. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11328. [PMID: 35790745 PMCID: PMC9256628 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13376-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antivenom is currently the first-choice treatment for snakebite envenoming. However, only a low proportion of antivenom immunoglobulins are specific to venom toxins, resulting in poor dose efficacy and potency. We sought to investigate whether linear venom epitopes displayed on virus like particles can stimulate an antibody response capable of recognising venom toxins from diverse medically important species. Bioinformatically-designed epitopes, corresponding to predicted conserved regions of group I phospholipase A2 and three finger toxins, were engineered for display on the surface of hepatitis B core antigen virus like particles and used to immunise female CD1 mice over a 14 weeks. Antibody responses to all venom epitope virus like particles were detectable by ELISA by the end of the immunisation period, although total antibody and epitope specific antibody titres were variable against the different epitope immunogens. Immunoblots using pooled sera demonstrated recognition of various venom components in a diverse panel of six elapid venoms, representing three continents and four genera. Insufficient antibody yields precluded a thorough assessment of the neutralising ability of the generated antibodies, however we were able to test polyclonal anti-PLA2 IgG from three animals against the PLA2 activity of Naja nigricollis venom, all of which showed no neutralising ability. This study demonstrates proof-of-principle that virus like particles engineered to display conserved toxin linear epitopes can elicit specific antibody responses in mice which are able to recognise a geographically broad range of elapid venoms.
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Alomran N, Blundell P, Alsolaiss J, Crittenden E, Ainsworth S, Dawson CA, Edge RJ, Hall SR, Harrison RA, Wilkinson MC, Menzies SK, Casewell NR. Exploring the Utility of Recombinant Snake Venom Serine Protease Toxins as Immunogens for Generating Experimental Snakebite Antivenoms. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:443. [PMID: 35878181 PMCID: PMC9319908 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14070443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease that causes high rates of global mortality and morbidity. Although snakebite can cause a variety of pathologies in victims, haemotoxic effects are particularly common and are typically characterised by haemorrhage and/or venom-induced consumption coagulopathy. Despite polyclonal antibody-based antivenoms being the mainstay life-saving therapy for snakebite, they are associated with limited cross-snake species efficacy, as there is often extensive toxin variation between snake venoms, including those used as immunogens for antivenom production. This restricts the therapeutic utility of any antivenom to certain geographical regions. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using recombinantly expressed toxins as immunogens to stimulate focused, pathology-specific, antibodies in order to broadly counteract specific toxins associated with snakebite envenoming. Three snake venom serine proteases (SVSP) toxins, sourced from geographically diverse and medically important viper snake venoms, were successfully expressed in HEK293F mammalian cells and used for murine immunisation. Analyses of the resulting antibody responses revealed that ancrod and RVV-V stimulated the strongest immune responses, and that experimental antivenoms directed against these recombinant SVSP toxins, and a mixture of the three different immunogens, extensively recognised and exhibited immunological binding towards a variety of native snake venoms. While the experimental antivenoms showed some reduction in abnormal clotting parameters stimulated by the toxin immunogens and crude venom, specifically reducing the depletion of fibrinogen levels and prolongation of prothrombin times, fibrinogen degradation experiments revealed that they broadly protected against venom- and toxin-induced fibrinogenolytic functional activities. Overall, our findings further strengthen the case for the use of recombinant venom toxins as supplemental immunogens to stimulate focused and desirable antibody responses capable of neutralising venom-induced pathological effects, and therefore potentially circumventing some of the limitations associated with current snakebite therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nessrin Alomran
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Patricia Blundell
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Jaffer Alsolaiss
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Edouard Crittenden
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Stuart Ainsworth
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Charlotte A. Dawson
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Rebecca J. Edge
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Steven R. Hall
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Robert A. Harrison
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Mark C. Wilkinson
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Stefanie K. Menzies
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Nicholas R. Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; (N.A.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (S.A.); (C.A.D.); (R.J.E.); (S.R.H.); (R.A.H.); (M.C.W.); (S.K.M.)
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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Rivera-de-Torre E, Rimbault C, Jenkins TP, Sørensen CV, Damsbo A, Saez NJ, Duhoo Y, Hackney CM, Ellgaard L, Laustsen AH. Strategies for Heterologous Expression, Synthesis, and Purification of Animal Venom Toxins. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 9:811905. [PMID: 35127675 PMCID: PMC8811309 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.811905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are complex mixtures containing peptides and proteins known as toxins, which are responsible for the deleterious effect of envenomations. Across the animal Kingdom, toxin diversity is enormous, and the ability to understand the biochemical mechanisms governing toxicity is not only relevant for the development of better envenomation therapies, but also for exploiting toxin bioactivities for therapeutic or biotechnological purposes. Most of toxinology research has relied on obtaining the toxins from crude venoms; however, some toxins are difficult to obtain because the venomous animal is endangered, does not thrive in captivity, produces only a small amount of venom, is difficult to milk, or only produces low amounts of the toxin of interest. Heterologous expression of toxins enables the production of sufficient amounts to unlock the biotechnological potential of these bioactive proteins. Moreover, heterologous expression ensures homogeneity, avoids cross-contamination with other venom components, and circumvents the use of crude venom. Heterologous expression is also not only restricted to natural toxins, but allows for the design of toxins with special properties or can take advantage of the increasing amount of transcriptomics and genomics data, enabling the expression of dormant toxin genes. The main challenge when producing toxins is obtaining properly folded proteins with a correct disulfide pattern that ensures the activity of the toxin of interest. This review presents the strategies that can be used to express toxins in bacteria, yeast, insect cells, or mammalian cells, as well as synthetic approaches that do not involve cells, such as cell-free biosynthesis and peptide synthesis. This is accompanied by an overview of the main advantages and drawbacks of these different systems for producing toxins, as well as a discussion of the biosafety considerations that need to be made when working with highly bioactive proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre, ; Andreas H. Laustsen,
| | - Charlotte Rimbault
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy P. Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christoffer V. Sørensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Damsbo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Natalie J. Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Yoan Duhoo
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Celeste Menuet Hackney
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre, ; Andreas H. Laustsen,
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