Screening of expression libraries using ELISA: identification of immunogenic proteins from Tityus bahiensis and Tityus serrulatus venom

The present report describes the use of ELISA with cDNA expression librarie s in the identification of immunogenic proteins. The methodology described was applied using libraries constructed with mRNA isolated from Tityus serr ulatus and Tityus bahiensis venom glands. In addition rye describe for the first time the sequence of a neurotoxin from Tityus bahiensis venom gland n amed TbTx5 whose amino acid sequencing showed 93% similarity with the Tityu s bahiensis TbTx IV-5 neurotoxin. The methodology described ran be used for the generation of an immunogenic bank in order to contribute to genome and proteome projects. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.