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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