Mass spectrometry analysis, amino acid sequence and biological activity of venom components from the Brazilian scorpion Opisthacanthus cayaporum

Intraspecific Variation of Centruroides Edwardsii Venom from Two Regions of Colombia

“…Although no venom characterization has been reported from this species, Colombian C. edwardsii venom agreed with the description of other Centruroides species like C. tecomanus [2] and different arachnids [30]. C. edwardsii venom exhibited an indirect hemolytic activity, which could be depend of phospholipases, since, when the assay was performed with calcium, the venom enhanced the activity, and without calcium no activity was performed (data not shown); furthermore, chromatograms (Figure 3 and Figure 4) show different peaks eluting between 37 min and 42 min (regular phospholipases eluting times in invertebrates) [1] with a molecular mass close to 14.4 kDa (Figure 3, insert). These characteristic properties have been reported in other Centruroides species ( C. tecomanus ), scorpions genus ( Opisthacanthus ), and arachnids (spider from the Pamphobeteus genus), were different phospholipases enzymes were identified with retention times between 37 min and 42 min and molecular masses between 13.7 kDa and 14.5 kDa [1,2,30].…”

“…C. edwardsii venom exhibited an indirect hemolytic activity, which could be depend of phospholipases, since, when the assay was performed with calcium, the venom enhanced the activity, and without calcium no activity was performed (data not shown); furthermore, chromatograms (Figure 3 and Figure 4) show different peaks eluting between 37 min and 42 min (regular phospholipases eluting times in invertebrates) [1] with a molecular mass close to 14.4 kDa (Figure 3, insert). These characteristic properties have been reported in other Centruroides species ( C. tecomanus ), scorpions genus ( Opisthacanthus ), and arachnids (spider from the Pamphobeteus genus), were different phospholipases enzymes were identified with retention times between 37 min and 42 min and molecular masses between 13.7 kDa and 14.5 kDa [1,2,30]. A significant intraspecific difference was detected between both venoms, since MHeD was found to be higher in the Antioquia’s venom, probably due to higher concentration of phospholipases, since peaks eluting in the phospholipases region showed the same intensity with respect to the Tolima’s venom, but using half of the venom concentration.…”

“…Over 400 million years of evolution, scorpions have developed a complex mixture of neurotoxins, enzymes, proteins, and antimicrobial and cytolytic peptides, most of these with a low molecular mass (below 10 kDa), designed to kill and paralyze prey, which also exhibit a wide variety of pharmacological and biochemical activities [1,2]. …”

“…These peptides, show hemolytic, immune modulating, antibacterial, and insecticidal activities [1,23,24]. Antibacterial activity had been reported from different Centruroides species venom, such as C. margaritatus , active against S. aureus , P. aeruginosa , and B. cereus [25].…”

Scorpionism in Central America, with special reference to the case of Panama

“…Scorpions from the families Chactidae, Diplocentridae and Vejovidae are not considered noxious to humans and produce only localized symptoms upon accidental stings, as their species synthesize toxins that are mainly active against insects (e.g. Opisthacanthus cayaporum) and also cytotoxic peptides with the ability to form plasma membrane pores, which act as potent bactericides that prevent contamination of the venom gland (22,23).…”