DISSERTATION: E. P. Andriani submitted this dissertation for the degree of Master of Science in Nuclear Technology publicly examined at the Department of Bioengineering of the Nuclear Energy Research Institute, São Paulo, Brazil, in 1995.
Advisor: Professor José Roberto Rogero
ABSTRACT. Ionizing radiation has been successfully used in the detoxification of snake venom with the maintenance of its antigenic and immunogenic properties. It is an efficient tool in the optimization of antiserum production. The main reactive species resulting from water radiolysis induced by radiation, mainly hydroxyl radical (OH
) and aqueous electron (e 
aq), act on the protein molecule promoting several modifications. In order to gain further knowledge of these mechanisms, in the present work, crotoxin, the main toxin of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom in its native form was compared to that form irradiated with 2,000 Gy in the presence or not of specific free radical scavengers regarding to structural, biological and immunological aspects. SDS-PAGE, HPLC, toxicity and enzymatic activity data suggest that the hydroxyl radical is involved in the enzymatic activity attenuation, while the aqueous electron promotes structural modifications. Toxicity attenuation occurs in the same manner either in the presence or the absence of these radicals, suggesting the influence of another reactive species in the detoxification process. The irradiated protein preserved its immunogenic properties inducing antibodies capable of neutralizing the intact native crotoxin. The highest neutralizing capacity was reached with crotoxin irradiated with DDT or cysteine antisera.
CORRESPONDENCE TO:
J. R. ROGERO - Departamento de Bioengenharia, TBR, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP, Travessa R, 400, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 05508-900, São Paulo, Brasil.
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
08 Jan 1999 -
Date of issue
1996
