Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Cytotoxic effect and apoptosis induction by Bothrops leucurus venom lectin on tumor cell lines
Erika S Nunes1, Mary A A Souza, Antônio F M Vaz
1Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Prof. Arthur de Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50670-901, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Abstract:
Neoplastic transformation is the abnormal proliferation of cells. These transformations are often related to changes in cell surface glycoconjugates which can be detected by lectins. We evaluated the anti-tumor potential of BlL, a galactoside-binding lectin isolated from Bothrops leucurus venom as well as its cytotoxicity and hemolysis activity. The phosphatidylserine externalization and mitochondrial membrane potential were also determined. BlL exhibited cytotoxic activity against all tumor cell lines tested by induced phosphatidylserine externalization and mitochondrial depolarization, indicating cell death by apoptosis.
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Immunotherapy
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...