BackgroundScorpion venoms are rich bioactive peptide libraries that offer promising molecules that may lead to the discovery and development of new drugs. Leiurus abdullahbayrami produces one of the most potent venoms among Turkish scorpions that provokes severe symptoms in envenomated victims.MethodsIn the present study, the peptide profile of the venom was investigated by electrophoretic methods, size-exclusion and reversed-phase chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects were evaluated on a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and various bacterial and fungal species.ResultsProteins make up approximately half of the dry weight of L. abdullahbayrami crude venom. Microfluidic capillary electrophoresis indicated the presence of 6 to 7 kDa peptides and proved to be a highly practical peptidomics tool with better resolution when compared to conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Mass spectroscopy analysis helped us to identify 45 unique peptide masses between 1 to 7 kDa with a bimodal mass distribution peaking between molecular weights of 1 to 2 kDa (29%) and 3 to 4 kDa (31%). L. abdullahbayrami crude venom had a proliferative effect on MCF-7 cells, which may be explained by the high concentration of polyamines as well as potassium and calcium ions in the arachnid venoms. Antimicrobial effect was stronger on gram-negative bacteria.ConclusionsThis work represents the first peptidomic characterization of L. abdullahbayrami venom. Considering the molecular weight-function relationship of previously identified venom peptides, future bioactivity studies may lead to the discovery of novel potassium and chloride ion channel inhibitors as well as new antimicrobial peptides from L. abdullahbayrami venom.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1678-9199-20-48) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

is the largest family of spiders, with 5755 described species (Platnick, 2014). A total of 106 species in 40 genera are known in Turkey (Bayram et al., 2014) from Salticidae. In this paper, we add 4 jumping spider species to the spider fauna of Turkey. These species are Euophrys sulphurea (L. Koch, 1867), Neon levis (Simon, 1871), Pellenes brevis (Simon, 1868), and Sibianor aurocinctus (Ohlert, 1865).This study is based on materials collected from different regions of Turkey. Specimens were collected by means of a hand aspirator from under stones and on plants. Well-known identification keys were used for identification (Heimer and Nentwig, 1991;Prószyński, 2003;Almquist, 2006). Identification was made using a Leica S8APO stereo microscope. Pictures were taken using a Leica S8APO microscope by means of a Leica DC 160 camera. Scanning electron microscopy microphotographs were made with a JEOL JSM-5600 at Kırıkkale University. Specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol. Abbreviations used in the text are as follows: Cx, coxa; Tr, trochanter; Fe, femur; Pa, patella; Ti, tibia; Mt, metatarsus; Ta, tarsus. All measurements are given in millimeters. Specimens are deposited in the collection of the Arachnological Museum of Kırıkkale University (KUAM).

The species Coelotes sinopensis sp.n. is described from Sinop Province, Turkey. Differences between the new species and related species are discussed.

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