Sterol glucoside toxins

Abstract

The invention relates to the identification of sterol glucoside toxins, and provides methods for detecting and detoxifying the compounds, as well as therapeutic methods for treating subjects exposed to such toxins. In alternative embodiments, the toxins may for example include beta-sitostrol-beta-D-glucoside (5-cholesten-24b-ethyl-3b-ol-D-glucoside) or cholesterol glucoside (5-cholesten-3b-ol-3b-D-glucoside).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of detoxification of a composition, comprising subjecting the composition to conditions that reduce the concentration of a neurotoxic sterol glycoside in the composition.  
     
     
         2 . The method of claims  1 , wherein the neurotoxic sterol glycoside is selected from the group consisting of beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside and cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sterol glycoside is cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sterol glycoside is beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside.  
     
     
         5 . The method of any one of claims  1  through  4 , wherein the conditions are effective to hydrolyse a glycosidic bond in the sterol glycoside.  
     
     
         6 . The method of any one of claims  1  through  5 , wherein the conditions comprise treating the composition with an enzyme that degrades the neurotoxic sterol glycoside.  
     
     
         7 . An animal model of a neurodegenerative disease comprising a non-human mammal fed a sufficient amount of a neurotoxic sterol glycoside to produce symptoms of the neurodegenerative disease.  
     
     
         8 . The animal model of  claim 7 , wherein the neurotoxic sterol glycoside is selected from the group consisting of beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside and cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         9 . The animal model of  claim 7 , wherein the sterol glycoside is cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         10 . The animal model of  claim 7 , wherein the sterol glycoside is beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside.  
     
     
         11 . A method of immunizing an animal comprising administering to the animal an antigenic formulation of a neurotoxic sterol glycoside.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the neurotoxic sterol glycoside is selected from the group consisting of beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside and cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sterol glycoside is cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sterol glycoside is beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside.  
     
     
         15 . The use of a neurotoxic sterol glycoside to immunize an animal.  
     
     
         16 . The use of a neurotoxic sterol glycoside according to  claim 15 , wherein the neurotoxic sterol glycoside is selected from the group consisting of beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside and cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         17 . The use of a neurotoxic sterol glycoside according to  claim 15 , wherein the sterol glycoside is cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         18 . The use of a neurotoxic sterol glycoside according to  claim 15 , wherein the sterol glycoside is beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside.  
     
     
         19 . A kit for detecting neurotoxic sterol glycosides comprising a ligand that binds to the neurotoxic sterol glycoside and means for detecting the binding of the ligand to the neurotoxic sterol glycoside.  
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the ligand is an antibody.  
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 19  or  20 , wherein the neurotoxic sterol glycoside is selected from the group consisting of beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside and cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 19  or  20 , wherein the sterol glycoside is cholesterol glucoside.  
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 19  or  20 , wherein the sterol glycoside is beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside.