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.[1] The protein could potentially be used to treat most snake bites as it is capable of neutralizing the venom of major snake families.[2] Furthermore, most modern antivenoms come from horse proteins to which many people are allergic. The molecular weight of LTNF is about 63 kDa.[2]
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.