- After several rounds of screening, researchers discovered an antibody, 95Mat5, that had promising results in producing a strong antidote to several snake venoms.
What is 95Mat5?
- 95Mat5 is a global antivenom designed to neutralise the poisons found in snake venoms.
- Development Process:
- The scientists began by synthesising versions of a toxin known as long-chain 3FTxs (3FTx-L), which may be found in the venoms of a variety of snakes, including cobras, kraits, mambas, and monocled cobra.
- They next tested billions of human antibodies produced on yeast cell surfaces to discover those that bind better to the synthesised poisons.
- After many rounds of screening, they narrowed down a list of antibodies that widely responded with the majority of the 3FTx variations employed in the study.
- The chosen antibodies were then tested in vitro in human cells to see which ones could best neutralise the poisons.
Mechanism of Action
- 95Mat5 targets α-neurotoxins, a kind of 3FTx that block nerve and muscle cells from reacting to acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that transports messages from neurons to muscles.
- 95Mat5 binds to toxins and stops them from engaging with receptors in human nerve and muscle cells, limiting their potential to cause paralysis and other lethal consequences.
- In animal studies, 95Mat5 was shown to be effective at neutralising poisons found in the venoms of numerous snake species, saving the animals’ lives.
Source: https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/news-events/news/groundbreaking-research-paves-the-way-for-more-effective-snakebite-treatment