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Author Spotlight: Optimizing Scorpion Venom Extraction for Antivenom Production
Published on: October 6, 2023
From venoms to BBB-shuttles. MiniCTX3: a molecular vector derived from scorpion venom
Cristina Díaz-Perlas1, Monica Varese, Salvador Guardiola
1Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona 08028, Spain. ernest.giralt@irbbarcelona.org meritxell.teixido@irbbarcelona.org.
Abstract:
The present study aims to develop chlorotoxin (CTX), from Giant Yellow Israeli scorpion venom, as a new BBB-shuttle. Minimised versions of CTX were prepared to reduce its complexity while enhancing its BBB-shuttle capacity and preserving its protease-resistance. MiniCTX3, a monocyclic lactam-bridge peptidomimetic, was capable of transporting nanoparticles across endothelial cell monolayers. Our results reveal animal venoms as an outstanding source of new families of BBB-shuttles.
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