Efficient expression and purification of two recombinant toxins from Lonomia obliqua bristle extract in Lepidopteran larvae as candidates for antiserum production

BIRENBAUM, JOAQUÍN MANUEL; MOURA LUCIA; SMITH IGNACIO; MONTERO LUCIANO; POODTS JOAQUÍN; RODRIGUEZ SOL; ALEXANDRA TARGOVNIK; SCAZZIOTA ALEJANDRA; HERRERA LOURDES; PONS SILVINA; CASCONE OSVALDO; DE ROODT ADOLFO; FINGERMANN MATÍAS; MIRANDA MARÍA VICTORIA

Abu Dhabi

Congreso; 21 World Congress of the international society on Toxinology (IST); 2022

IST

Caterpillars of the genus Lonomia (Saturniidae) arehighly dangerous when skin contact occurs. Lonomiaobliqua is a very poisonous species found mainly inthe South region of Brazil and northeasternArgentina (Misiones Province), Uruguay andParaguay. The components of the poison can causeblood coagulation disorders (bleeding), bruising,headaches, malaise, kidney failure and even death.The most effective treatment for a poisoned personis the application of specific Lonomia obliquaantiserum but its availability is limited.Two major components of the venom are: L. obliquaStuart Factor Activator (Losac) and L. obliquaProthrombin Activator Protein (Lopap). Both areproteases partially responsible for the procoagulantactivity of L. obliqua venom.The baculovirus system based on Autographacalifornica (AcMNPV) allows the expression ofrecombinant proteins in insect cells. In this work, westudied the expression and purification ofrecombinant Losac and Lopap (rLosac and rLopap) inbaculovirus-infected lepidopteran larvae asbiofactories (4). The process based on Rachiplusia nuand Spodoptera frugiperda larvae could be aninteresting approach to use these toxins asalternative of venom in antisera production