Investigating the Conserved CTX-HaCaT Membrane Interaction and Secretome Alteration

Cobra bite-induced dermonecrosis is mainly caused by cytotoxin (CTX). Given the scarcity of effective treatments for dermonecrosis, it is crucial to have a better understanding of the role of CTX in dermonecrosis-associated envenomation. This study investigated the concentration of CTX as a determinant of cell death in human skin cells. We observed the interaction between CTX and the cell membrane using in silico and in vitro methods. The downstream pathways were elucidated via secretome analysis. We also identified a surface membrane protein, annexin A2, as a potential binding partner of CTX via cross-link mass spectrometry.