Identification and isolation of immunodominant proteins of Naja naja (Oxiana) snake venom

Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins, peptides, enzymes, carbohydrates, and minerals. They contain a variety of chemicals with pharmacological and toxicological properties. The innate immune system is the first line of defense against toxins and microbes. Antibacterial and anticancer proteins produced by snake venom have recently attracted significant attention due to their relevance to bacterial diseases and the potential of being converted into new therapeutic agents. However, the production of anti-snake venom from large mammals is proven to be low-yielding and arduous. The aim of the present study was to investigate and isolate immunodominant proteins of Naja oxiana snake venom. Identification was performed by ۱۵%  sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis. Subsequently, four sharp protein bonds of ۱۴, ۲۲, ۳۲, ۶۵ kDa were appeared in nitrocellulose paper. In the next step, the identified proteins were isolated directly by electro-elution from preparative gel electrophoresis. Results showed that immunodominant proteins of (۱۴, ۲۲, ۳۲, and ۶۵ kDa) with high immunogenicity had high immunoreactivity with antiserum. To the best our knowledge, these proteins can be candidates for preparing a specific anti-venom against Naja oxiana and antimicrobial immunodominant proteins, as well as designing antimicrobial peptides.

Keywords:

Naja Naja , Immunodominant protein , Antivenom , Electro-elution