Two consensus scorpion toxins derived from venoms of the genera Centruroides (NATx, North America), and Tityus (SATx, South America) have been rationally designed and recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli Origami. Each recombinant proteins have been produced as inclusion our bodies and subsequently purified and refolded in vitro to acquire biologically energetic isoforms. The expression yields have been roughly 1 mg/L for rNATx and 0.5 mg/L for rSATx. Structural characterization by round dichroism spectroscopy revealed that rNATx and rSATx exhibited folding patterns typical of scorpion β-toxins. The purified recombinant toxins have been used as immunogens to lift polyclonal antibodies in New Zealand rabbits. The ensuing antisera have been evaluated for his or her capability to neutralize remoted toxins and entire scorpion venoms. rNATx elicited a stronger immune response and confirmed superior immunogenicity in comparison with rSATx. Notably, 1-1.5 mg of anti-rNATx antibodies have been ample to neutralize as much as 3LD50 of venoms from probably the most medically related Centruroides species in México. Then again, roughly 20 mg of anti-rSATx antibodies have been required to neutralize solely 2LD50 of Tityus venoms. Moreover, T-cell subsets quantified by move cytometry confirmed that rNATx is extra immunogenic and doubtless confers improved antivenom efficacy, highlighting its potential utility within the growth of broad-spectrum antivenoms in opposition to scorpion envenomation.
Cardoso-Arenas S, Mejia-Sanchez MA, Miranda-Blancas R, Clement H, Corrales-García L, Arenas I, et al. (2026) Immunogenicity of two consultant American consensus scorpion neurotoxins from the genera Tityus and Centruroides. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 20(2): e0013982. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013982
