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This volume explores techniques and protocols, across various biological disciplines, used to study snake and spider peptide toxins. The chapters in this book are organized into four parts and cover topics such as the use of toxins in drug development; analysis of bioactivity of complex mixtures like venom; extraction of venom glands and the production of toxins; characterization of toxins from the RNA level to the peptide structure; and the determination of the toxin's biological function. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and thorough, Snake and Spider Toxins: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for both novice and expert researchers who are interested in learning more about this evolving field.
List of contents
Snake- and Spider-Venom-Derived Toxins as Lead Compounds for Drug Development.- Analytics for Bioactivity Profiling of Complex Mixtures with a Focus on Venoms.- Venom Collection from Spiders and Snakes: Voluntary and Involuntary Extractions ("Milking") and Venom Gland Extractions.- Production and Purification of Recombinant Toxins.- RNA-Sequencing of Snake Venom Glands.- Exploring Toxin Evolution: Venom Protein Transcript Sequencing and Transcriptome-Guided High-Throughput Proteomics.- Three-Dimensional Structure Determination of Peptides using Solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.- Determining the Structures of the Snake and Spider Toxins by X-Rays.- MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Spider Venoms.- Methods for Evaluation of a Snake Venom Derived Disintegrin in Animal Models of Human Cancer.- Cell-Based Adhesion Assays for Isolation of Snake Venom's Integrin Antagonists.- Using C. elegans to Study the Effects of Toxins in Sensory Ion Channels In Vivo.- Measurements of Cell Death Induced by Snake and Spider's Venoms and Derived Toxins.- Using Toxins in Brain Slice Recordings.- High-Throughput Calcium Imaging Screen of Toxins' Function in Dissociated Sensory Neurons.- Synthesizing and Expressing Native Ion Channels.
