Research on acute toxicity and analgesic activity of a fusion protein of omega-conotoxin mviia and thioredoxin

Doan Viet Binh, Bui Thi Huyen, Nguyen Thi Kim Dung, Le Thi Bich Thao, Nguyen Bich Nhi, Phan Van Chi
Author affiliations

Authors

  • Doan Viet Binh Institute of Biotechnology, VAST
  • Bui Thi Huyen Institute of Biotechnology, VAST
  • Nguyen Thi Kim Dung Institute of Biotechnology, VAST
  • Le Thi Bich Thao Institute of Biotechnology, VAST
  • Nguyen Bich Nhi Institute of Biotechnology, VAST
  • Phan Van Chi Institute of Biotechnology, VAST

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7160/v34n2.968

Keywords:

Conotoxin, acute toxicity, analgesic activity, LD50, omega-conotoxin MVIIA

Abstract

Omega-conotoxin MVIIA (w-CTX) a neurotoxin isolated from the venom of Cone snail Conus magus, is a potent and selective blocker of the N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel in neurons. Thereby it can inhibit the function of calcium chanel and neurotransmitter receptors, blocks the pain signal propagation to the brain or directly targets nociceptive neurotransmission.

w-CTX has been cloned, expressed in the fusion form with thioredoxin (Trx-CTX ) in E. coli in the institute of biotechnology, Ha noi and finally purified. Trx-CTX could be produced in large amount, whereas the synthesis of w-CTX is difficult due to the long synthetic process and low yield.

In this paper we present our study on analgesic activity and acute toxicity of Trx-CTX with the aim to test the possibility of the Trx-CTX for medical applications. The experiments were carried out in male mice of Swiss race weighing 20 g. The analgesic activity of Trx-CTX was measured in hot-plate assay. Its acute toxicity (LD50) was determinated by the method described by Behrens and Karber. The results showed that Omega-conotoxin MVIIA in the fusion form with thioredoxin possess an analgesic activity 18 times better than morphin hydrochloride and its LD50 is detected at the dose of 775 µg Trx-CTX/g mouse body weight. Trx-CTX could be used for medicinal purpose.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Published

06-06-2012

How to Cite

Binh, D. V., Huyen, B. T., Kim Dung, N. T., Bich Thao, L. T., Bich Nhi, N., & Chi, P. V. (2012). Research on acute toxicity and analgesic activity of a fusion protein of omega-conotoxin mviia and thioredoxin. Academia Journal of Biology, 34(2), 241–245. https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7160/v34n2.968

Issue

Section

Articles