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Antigenic similarity between the protein neurotoxin α-bungarotoxin and neuromuscular blocking drugs

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Abstract

The snake neurotoxins α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT) and β-bungarotoxin (β-BGT) which act at the neuromuscular junction, were found to bind to IgE antibodies directed against neuromuscular blocking (NMB) drugs in the sera of two patients who had experienced lifethreatening anaphylactic reactions to succinylcholine. α-BGT inhibited IgE-binding to a choline-Sepharose solid support in one patient better than the NMB drug alcuronium, choline, triethylcholine and β-BGT. IC50s for α-BGT and succinylcholine were 16 and 10 nmol respectively for one patient and 34 and 6.0 nmol for the other.

Recognition of the NMB drugs and α-BGT by the same antibody is the first demonstration of an antigenic similarity between these drugs and the protein toxin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital of Sydney, 2065, St. Leonards, N.S.W., Australia

    D. G. Harle &  B. A. Baldo

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Sydney, 2006, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia

    D. G. Harle &  B. A. Baldo

  3. Intensive Therapy Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital of Sydney, 2065, St. Leonards, N.S.W., Australia

    M. M. Fisher

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Harle, D.G., Baldo, B.A. & Fisher, M.M. Antigenic similarity between the protein neurotoxin α-bungarotoxin and neuromuscular blocking drugs. Agents and Actions 18, 512–517 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01964956

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01964956

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