Development of peptidic anti-­dendrotoxins

The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is one of the most feared and dangerous snakes in the world, and its bite has a very high mortality and morbidity rate. Dendrotoxins, the most abundant and some of the most toxic components present in black mamba venom, target potassium channels in neuronal tissue, leading to hyper-excitability in victims and prey. Blockage of the potassium channels can lead to respiratory paralysis and eventually death. Early administration of appropriate antivenom is the only effective snakebite therapy to date. However, current antivenoms are still being produced by the very laborious and expensive traditional animal immunization techniques, leading to severe side effects in human recipients due to their heterologous nature. In contrast, novel approaches based on synthetic or recombinant antivenoms may offer an alternative solution, saving cost, limiting side effects, and providing more effective neutralization of snake venom.