Isolation and characterization of the insecticidal, two-domain toxin LaIT3 from the Liocheles australasiae scorpion venom

Abstract

A novel insecticidal peptide (LaIT3) was isolated from the Liocheles australasiae venom. The primary structure of LaIT3 was determined by a combination of Edman degradation and MS/MS de novo sequencing analysis. Discrimination between Leu and Ile in MS/MS analysis was achieved based on the difference in side chain fragmentation assisted by chemical derivatization. LaIT3 was determined to be an 84-residue peptide with three intrachain disulfide bonds. The sequence similarity search revealed that LaIT3 belongs to the scorpine-like peptides consisting of two structural domains: an N-terminal α-helical domain and a C-terminal cystine-stabilized domain. As observed for most of the scorpine-like peptides, LaIT3 showed significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, which is likely to be caused by its membrane-disrupting property.

Identification of an antiviral component from the venom of the scorpion Liocheles australasiae using transcriptomic and mass spectrometric analyses

“…australasiae venom at a peptide level, respectively (Juichi, et al, 2019, Matsushita, et al, 2009. Five transcripts (La-kappaKTx1, La-kappaKTx2, La-kappaKTx3, La-kappaKTx4, and La-kappaKTx5) coding for κ-KTx peptides were also found (Fig.…”

“…Previously, we isolated and characterized four peptides (LaIT1, LaIT2, LaIT3, and La1) from the venom of the scorpion L. australasiae, mainly based on toxicity against insects (Juichi, et al, 2019, Matsushita, et al, 2009, Matsushita, et al, 2007, Miyashita, et al, 2007. In the present study, we performed the transcriptome analysis of the venom gland of L. australasiae to comprehensively understand the components in the venom.…”

“…In this context, the scorpion venom has been studied as one of the promising sources of antiviral molecules. Previously, we identified three insecticidal peptides from the venom of the Liocheles australasiae scorpion based on toxicity against insects (Juichi et al, 2019, Matsushita et al, 2009, Matsushita et al, 2007. However, the venom has not been evaluated for other biological activities, including antiviral effects.…”

Scorpion Venom as a Source of Antimicrobial Peptides: Overview of Biomolecule Separation, Analysis and Characterization Methods

“…The mobile phase is applied to the column at a specific linear or segmented gradient to allow the purification of the target molecule. For scorpion venom separations, the most used acids are trifluoroacetic acid or acetic acid at 0.01% ( v / v ) [ 38 ]. Segmented gradients are often used in scorpion venom separations since they provide better resolution of small peptidic and non-peptidic components.…”

Hexapod Assassins’ Potion: Venom Composition and Bioactivity from the Eurasian Assassin Bug Rhynocoris iracundus

“…Toxins from venomous animals have also been investigated as therapeutic antibacterial candidates in the face of increasing antibiotic resistance and as alternatives for chemical insecticides [12,13]. However, to date, the focus of such investigations has primarily been on toxins from 'classical' venomous animals, such as snakes, scorpions, and spiders, with only few studies investigating diverse insect venoms [14,15].…”