Predicting B-Cell Epitopes in Heminecrolysin Protein Sequences Using Bioinformatics

Abstract

As the first hemolytic fraction of Hemiscorpius lepturus venom, heminecrolysin is an important
venom protein, the effects are mediated by the phospholipase D activity. The paramount features
of HL-PLD1 protein consider its physicochemical characteristics, secondary structure, tertiary
structure, position, and potential epitopes of B cell in its definition. This article employed
bioinformatic analytic approaches for identifying potential epitopes in order to obtain a highly
effective antivenom. The results of Bcepred, ABCpred and BCPREDS online software showed
that GHMVNAVKQI and VTFDDNGNPKWTYHGTPCDC peptides had the maximum safety
scores 0.80 and 0.963, respectively. The data also showed that these peptides are properly
applicable in vaccine and diagnostic clinical assay development studies. The basic theoretical
information regarding HL-PLD1 can be used for further studies on designing a highly efficient
antivenom against HL-PLD1.