Annexin A2 is a potential membrane protein target of cobra venom cytotoxin

Cytotoxin (CTX), a three-finger toxin in cobra venoms, is known to cause cytotoxicity, though inconclusive mechanisms are reported. This study discovered the potential cell membrane protein target of CTX using crosslinking differential mass spectrometry. Among 89 proteins identified, annexin A2-CTX was the most stable binding complex with high binding affinity at the nanomolar scale. The findings provide insights into further investigation of the possible internationalisation pathways of CTX through interaction with annexin A2 in mediating cytotoxicity.