Lethal toxin neutralizing factor

The Lethal Toxin Neutralizing Factor, or LTNF, is a protein found in the blood serum of opossum. The North American Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is notable for its ability to live through snake bites. The protein could potentially be used to treat most snake bites as it is capable of neutralizing the venom of major snake families. Furthermore, most modern antivenoms come from horse proteins to which many people are allergic. The molecular weight of LTNF is about 63 kDa.

References

  1. ↑ Komives CF, Sanchez EE, Rathore AS, White B, Balderrama M, Suntravat M, Cifelli A, Joshi V (January 2017). "Opossum peptide that can neutralize rattlesnake venom is expressed in Escherichia coli". Biotechnology Progress. 33 (1): 81–86. doi:10.1002/btpr.2386. PMC 5315628. PMID 27718338.
  2. 1 2 Lipps BV (1999). "Anti-Lethal Factor from Opossum Serum is a Potent Antidote for Animal, Plant and Bacterial Toxins". Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins. 5 (1): 56–66. doi:10.1590/S0104-79301999000100005.