Transcriptomic basis for an antiserum against Micrurus corallinus (coral snake) venom.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Micrurus corallinus (coral snake) is a tropical forest snake belonging to the family Elapidae. Its venom shows a high neurotoxicity associated with pre- and post-synaptic toxins, causing diaphragm paralysis, which may result in death. In spite of a relatively small incidence of accidents, serum therapy is crucial for those bitten. However, the adequate production of antiserum is hampered by the difficulty in obtaining sufficient amounts of venom from a small snake with demanding breeding conditions. In order to elucidate the molecular basis of this venom and to uncover possible immunogens for an antiserum, we generated expressed sequences tags (ESTs) from its venom glands and analyzed the transcriptomic profile. In addition, their immunogenicity was tested using DNA immu

SUBMITTER: Leao LI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2662881 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature