1,4-Benzoquinone antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis derived from scorpion venom.

Two 1,4-benzoquinone derivatives, found in the venom of the scorpion Diplocentrus melici following exposure to air, have been isolated, characterized, synthesized, and assessed for antimicrobial activities. Initially a white, viscous liquid, the extracted venom colors within minutes under ambient conditions. From this colored mixture, two compounds, one red, the other blue, were isolated and purified using chromatography. After a variety of NMR and mass spectrometry experiments, the red compound was determined to be 3,5- dimethoxy-2-(methylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione, and the blue compound was determined to be 5-methoxy-2,3- bis(methylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione. Because extremely small amounts of these compounds were isolated from the scorpion venom, we developed laboratory syntheses from commercially available precursors, allowing us to produce sufficient quantities for crystallization and biological assays. The red benzoquinone is effective against Staphylococcus aureus [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 4 µg/mL], while the blue benzoquinone is active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC = 4 µg/mL) and even against a multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain with nearly equal effectiveness. The bactericidal effects of both benzoquinones show comparable activity to commercially available antibiotics used against these pathogens and were cytotoxic to neoplastic cell lines, suggesting their potential as lead compounds for the development of novel antimicrobial and anticancer drugs. Importantly, the blue benzoquinone was also effective in vivo with mouse models of MDR tuberculosis infection. After treatment for 2 mo, four mice with late-stage active MDR tuberculosis had a significant decrease in pulmonary bacillary loads and tissue damage. Healthy mice served as negative controls and tolerated treatment well, without adverse side effects.

Scorpion venomics: a 2019 overview.

Introduction: A few scorpions are dangerous to humans. Their medical relevance was the initial driving force for venom research. By classical biochemistry and molecular cloning, several venom peptides and their coding transcripts were characterized, mainly those related to toxins. The discovery of other components with novel activities and potential applications has revitalized the interest in the field in the last decade and a half. Nontoxic scorpion species have also attracted major interest.Areas covered: Advances in the identification of scorpion venom components via high-throughput venomics (genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics) up to 2019 are summarized. A classification system for venom-related transcripts and proteins, together with an intuitive systematic nomenclature for RNAseq-generated transcripts are proposed. Venom components classified as Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl- and TRP channel toxins, enzymes, protease inhibitors, host defense peptides and other peptidic molecules are briefly reviewed, giving a comprehensive picture of the venom.Expert opinion: Modern high-throughput technologies applied to scorpion venom studies have resulted in a dramatic increase in both, the number and diversity of available sequences, leading to a deeper understanding of the composition of scorpion venoms. Still, many newly-discovered venom constituents remain to be characterized, to complete the puzzle of scorpion venoms.

A paratransgenic strategy to block transmission of Xylella fastidiosa from the glassy-winged sharpshooter Homalodisca vitripennis.

BACKGROUND: Arthropod-borne diseases remain a leading cause of human morbidity and mortality and exact an enormous toll on global agriculture. The practice of insecticide-based control is fraught with issues of excessive cost, human and environmental toxicity, unwanted impact on beneficial insects and selection of resistant insects. Efforts to modulate insects to eliminate pathogen transmission have gained some traction and remain future options for disease control. RESULTS: Here, we report a paratransgenic strategy that targets transmission of Xylella fastidiosa, a leading bacterial pathogen of agriculture, by the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca vitripennis. Earlier, we identified Pantoea agglomerans, a bacterial symbiont of the GWSS as the paratransgenic control agent. We genetically engineered P. agglomerans to express two antimicrobial peptides (AMP)-melittin and scorpine-like molecule (SLM). Melittin and SLM were chosen as the effector molecules based on in vitro studies, which showed that both molecules have anti-Xylella activity at concentrations that did not kill P. agglomerans. Using these AMP-expressing strains of P. agglomerans, we demonstrated disruption of pathogen transmission from insects to grape plants below detectable levels. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of halting pathogen transmission from paratransgenically modified insects. It is also the first demonstration of paratransgenic control in an agriculturally important insect vector.

Optimal Neutralization of Centruroides noxius Venom Is Understood through a Structural Complex between Two Antibody Fragments and the Cn2 Toxin.

The current trend of using recombinant antibody fragments in research to develop novel antidotes against scorpion stings has achieved excellent results. The polyclonal character of commercial antivenoms, obtained through the immunization of animals and which contain several neutralizing antibodies that recognize different epitopes on the toxins, guarantees the neutralization of the venoms. To avoid the use of animals, we aimed to develop an equivalent recombinant antivenom composed of a few neutralizing single chain antibody fragments (scFvs) that bind to two different epitopes on the scorpion toxins. In this study, we obtained scFv RU1 derived from scFv C1. RU1 showed a good capacity to neutralize the Cn2 toxin and whole venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius. Previously, we had produced scFv LR, obtained from a different parental fragment (scFv 3F). LR also showed a similar neutralizing capacity. The simultaneous administration of both scFvs resulted in improved protection, which was translated as a rapid recovery of previously poisoned animals. The crystallographic structure of the ternary complex scFv LR-Cn2-scFv RU1 allowed us to identify the areas of interaction of both scFvs with the toxin, which correspond to non-overlapping sites. The epitope recognized by scFv RU1 seems to be related to a greater efficiency in the neutralization of the whole venom. In addition, the structural analysis of the complex helped us to explain the cross-reactivity of these scFvs and how they neutralize the venom.

Recombinant expression of Intrepicalcin from the scorpion Vaejovis intrepidus and its effect on skeletal ryanodine receptors.

BACKGROUND: Scorpion venoms contain toxins that modulate ionic channels, among which are the calcins, a small group of short, basic peptides with an Inhibitor Cystine Knot (ICK) motif that target calcium release channels/ryanodine receptors (RyRs) with high affinity and selectivity. Here we describe the heterologous expression of Intrepicalcin, identified by transcriptomic analysis of venomous glands from Vaejovis intrepidus. METHODS: Recombinant Intrepicalcin was obtained in Escherichia coli BL21-DE3 (periplasm) by fusing the Intrepicalcin gene to sequences coding for signal-peptide, thioredoxin, His-tag and enterokinase cleavage site. RESULTS: [3H]Ryanodine binding, used as a functional index of RyR activity, revealed that recombinant Intrepicalcin activates skeletal RyR (RyR1) dose-dependently with Kd=17.4±4.0nM. Intrepicalcin significantly augments the bell-shaped [Ca2+]-[3H]ryanodine binding curve at all [Ca2+] ranges, as is characteristic of the calcins. In single channel recordings, Intrepicalcin induces the appearance of a subconductance state in RyR1 with a fractional value ∼55% of the full conductance state, very close to that of Vejocalcin. Furthermore, Intrepicalcin stimulates Ca2+ release at an initial dose=45.3±2.5nM, and depletes ~50% of Ca2+ load from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that active recombinant Intrepicalcin was successfully obtained without the need of manual oxidation, enabling it to target RyR1s with high affinity. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first calcin heterologously expressed in the periplasma of Escherichia coli BL21-DE3, shown to be pharmacologically effective, thus paving the way for the generation of Intrepicalcin variants that are required for structure-function relationship studies of calcins and RyRs.

A pore forming peptide from spider Lachesana sp. venom induced neuronal depolarization and pain.

BACKGROUND: Arachnoid venoms contain numerous peptides with ion channel modifying and cytolytic activities. METHODS: We developed a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based assay that can monitor the changes in currents through overexpressed inwardly rectifying K(+) channels (Kir2.1), in which GFP expression was increased by blockade of Kir2.1 current. Using this assay, we screened venom of many spider species. A peptide causing GFP decreasing effect was purified and sequenced. Electrophysiological and pain-inducing effects of the peptide were analyzed with whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and hot-plate test, respectively. RESULTS: Among venoms we screened, soluble venom from Lachesana sp. decreased the GFP expression. Purification and sequencing of the peptide showed that the peptide is identical to a pore-forming peptide purified from Lachesana tarabaevi venom. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that the peptide had no effect on Kir2.1 current. Instead, it induced a current that was attributable to the pore-formation of the peptide. The peptide was selectively incorporated into hyperpolarized, i.e., Kir2.1 expressing, cells and for this reason the peptide decreased GFP expression in our Kir2.1 assay. The pore-formation positively shifted the reversal potential and induced burst firings in the hippocampal neurons in a synaptic current-independent way. The application of the Lachesana sp. peptide induced pain-related behavior in mice. CONCLUSIONS: The peptide, which was found in Lachesana sp. venom, formed pores and thereby depolarized neurons and induced pain. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggested an additional physiological role of the pore-forming peptides.

Autocrine-Based Selection of Drugs That Target Ion Channels from Combinatorial Venom Peptide Libraries.

Animal venoms represent a rich source of pharmacologically active peptides that interact with ion channels. However, a challenge to discovering drugs remains because of the slow pace at which venom peptides are discovered and refined. An efficient autocrine-based high-throughput selection system was developed to discover and refine venom peptides that target ion channels. The utility of this system was demonstrated by the discovery of novel Kv1.3 channel blockers from a natural venom peptide library that was formatted for autocrine-based selection. We also engineered a Kv1.3 blocker peptide (ShK) derived from sea anemone to generate a subtype-selective Kv1.3 blocker with a long half-life in vivo.

Interaction of the scorpion toxin discrepin with Kv4.3 channels and A-type K(+) channels in cerebellum granular cells.

BACKGROUND: The peptide discrepin from the α-KTx15 subfamily of scorpion toxins preferentially affects transient A-type potassium currents, which regulate many aspects of neuronal function in the central nervous system. However, the specific Kv channel targeted by discrepin and the molecular mechanism of interaction are still unknown. METHODS: Different variant peptides of discrepin were chemically synthesized and their effects were studied using patch clamp technique on rat cerebellum granular cells (CGC) and HEK cells transiently expressing Kv4.3 channels. RESULTS: Functional analysis indicated that nanomolar concentrations of native discrepin blocked Kv4.3 expressed channels, as previously observed in CGC. Similarly, the apparent affinities of all mutated peptides for Kv4.3 expressed channels were analogous to those found in CGC. In particular, in the double variant [V6K, D20K] the apparent affinity increased about 10-fold, whereas in variants carrying a deletion (ΔK13) or substitution (K13A) at position K13, the blockage was removed and the apparent affinity decreased more than 20-fold. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that Kv4.3 is likely the target of discrepin and highlight the importance of the basic residue K13, located in the α-helix of the toxin, for current blockage. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: We report the first example of a Kv4 subfamily potassium channel blocked by discrepin and identify the amino acid residues responsible for the blockage. The availability of discrepin variant peptides stimulates further research on the functions and pharmacology of neuronal Kv4 channels and on their possible roles in neurodegenerative disorders.

Membrane interactions and biological activity of antimicrobial peptides from Australian scorpion.

UyCT peptides are antimicrobial peptides isolated from the venom of the Australian scorpion. The activity of the UyCT peptides against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and red blood cells was determined. The membrane interactions of these peptides were evaluated by dye release (DR) of the fluorophore calcein from liposomes and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC); and their secondary structure was determined by circular dichroism (CD). Three different lipid systems were used to mimic red blood cells, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus membranes. UyCT peptides exhibited broad spectrum antimicrobial activity with low MIC for S. aureus and multi-drug resistant Gram negative strains. Peptide combinations showed some synergy enhancing their potency but not hemolytic activity. The UyCT peptides adopted a helical structure in lipid environments and DR results confirmed that the mechanism of action is by disrupting the membrane. ITC data indicated that UyCT peptides preferred prokaryotic rather than eukaryotic membranes. The overall results suggest that UyCT peptides could be pharmaceutical leads for the treatment of Gram negative multiresistant bacterial infections, especially against Acinetobacter baumanni, and candidates for peptidomimetics to enhance their potency and minimize hemolysis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Interfacially Active Peptides and Proteins. Guest Editors: William C. Wimley and Kalina Hristova.

Structure, molecular modeling, and function of the novel potassium channel blocker urotoxin isolated from the venom of the Australian scorpion Urodacus yaschenkoi.

This communication reports the structural and functional characterization of urotoxin, the first K(+) channel toxin isolated from the venom of the Australian scorpion Urodacus yaschenkoi. It is a basic peptide consisting of 37 amino acids with an amidated C-terminal residue. Urotoxin contains eight cysteines forming four disulfide bridges with sequence similarities resembling the α-potassium channel toxin 6 (α-KTx-6) subfamily of peptides; it was assigned the systematic number of α-KTx-6.21. Urotoxin is a potent blocker of human voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv)1.2 channels, with an IC50 of 160 pM, whereas its affinity for other channels tested was in the nanomolar range (hKv1.1, IC50 = 253 nM; hKv1.3, IC50 = 91 nM; and hKCa3.1, IC50 = 70 nM). The toxin had no effect on hKv1.4, hKv1.5, human ether-à-go-go-related gene type 1 (hERG1), or human ether-à-go-go-like (hELK2) channels. Multiple sequence alignments from the venom gland transcriptome showed the existence of four other new peptides similar to urotoxin. Computer modeling of urotoxin's three-dimensional structure suggests the presence of the α/ß-scaffold characteristic of other scorpion toxins, although very likely forming an uncommon disulfide pairing pattern. Using molecular dynamics, a model for the binding of this peptide to human Kv1.2 and hKv1.1 channels is presented, along with the binding of an in silico mutant urotoxin (Lys25Ala) to both channels. Urotoxin enriches our knowledge of K(+) channel toxins and, due to its high affinity for hKv1.2 channels, it may be a good candidate for the development of pharmacologic tools to study the physiologic functions of K(+) channels or related channelopathies and for restoring axonal conduction in demyelinated axons.

Enhanced antimicrobial activity of novel synthetic peptides derived from vejovine and hadrurin.

BACKGROUND: Microbial antibiotic resistance is a challenging medical problem nowadays. Two scorpion peptides displaying antibiotic activity: hadrurin and vejovine were taken as models for the design of novel shorter peptides with similar activity. METHODS: Using the standard Fmoc-based solid phase synthesis technique of Merrifield twelve peptides (18 to 29 amino acids long) were synthesized, purified and assayed against a variety of multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria from clinical isolates. Hemolytic and antiparasitic activities of the peptides and their possible interactions with eukaryotic cells were verified. Release of the fluorophore calcein from liposomes treated with these peptides was measured. RESULTS: A peptide with sequence GILKTIKSIASKVANTVQKLKRKAKNAVA), and three analogs: Δ(Α29), Δ(K12-Q18; Ν26-Α29), and K4N Δ(K12-Q18; Ν26-Α29) were shown to inhibit the growth of Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC25922) and Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus), as well as multi-drug resistant (MDR) clinical isolated. The antibacterial and antiparasitic activities were found with peptides at 0.78 to 25µM and 5 to 25µM concentration, respectively. These peptides have low cytotoxic and hemolytic activities at concentrations significantly exceeding their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), showing values between 40 and 900µM for their EC50, compared to the parent peptides vejovine and hadrurin that at the same concentration of their MICs lysed more than 50% of human erythrocytes cells. CONCLUSIONS: These peptides promise to be good candidates to combat infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria from nosocomial infections. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results confirm that well designed synthetic peptides can be an alternative for solving the lack of effective antibiotics to control bacterial infections.

Toxic Peptides from the Mexican Scorpion Centruroides villegasi: Chemical Structure and Evaluation of Recognition by Human Single-Chain Antibodies.

Alternative recombinant sources of antivenoms have been successfully generated. The application of such strategies requires the characterization of the venoms for the development of specific neutralizing molecules against the toxic components. Five toxic peptides to mammals from the Mexican scorpion Centruroides villegasi were isolated by chromatographic procedures by means of gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, followed by ion-exchange columns on carboxy-methyl-cellulose (CMC) resins and finally purified by high-performance chromatography (HPLC) columns. Their primary structures were determined by Edman degradation. They contain 66 amino acids and are maintained well packed by four disulfide bridges, with molecular mass from 7511.3 to 7750.1 Da. They are all relatively toxic and deadly to mice and show high sequence identity with known peptides that are specific modifiers of the gating mechanisms of Na+ ion channels of type beta-toxin (ß-ScTx). They were named Cv1 to Cv5 and used to test their recognition by single-chain variable fragments (scFv) of antibodies, using surface plasmon resonance. Three different scFvs generated in our laboratory (10FG2, HV, LR) were tested for recognizing the various new peptides described here, paving the way for the development of a novel type of scorpion antivenom.

Characterization of Sodium Channel Peptides Obtained from the Venom of the Scorpion Centruroides bonito.

Five peptides were isolated from the venom of the Mexican scorpion Centruroides bonito by chromatographic procedures (molecular weight sieving, ion exchange columns, and HPLC) and were denoted Cbo1 to Cbo5. The first four peptides contain 66 amino acid residues and the last one contains 65 amino acids, stabilized by four disulfide bonds, with a molecular weight spanning from about 7.5 to 7.8 kDa. Four of them are toxic to mice, and their function on human Na+ channels expressed in HEK and CHO cells was verified. One of them (Cbo5) did not show any physiological effects. The ones toxic to mice showed that they are modifiers of the gating mechanism of the channels and belong to the beta type scorpion toxin (ß-ScTx), affecting mainly the Nav1.6 channels. A phylogenetic tree analysis of their sequences confirmed the high degree of amino acid similarities with other known bona fide ß-ScTx. The envenomation caused by this venom in mice is treated by using commercially horse antivenom available in Mexico. The potential neutralization of the toxic components was evaluated by means of surface plasmon resonance using four antibody fragments (10FG2, HV, LR, and 11F) which have been developed by our group. These antitoxins are antibody fragments of single-chain antibody type, expressed in E. coli and capable of recognizing Cbo1 to Cbo4 toxins to various degrees.

Characterization of a novel peptide toxin from Acanthoscurria paulensis spider venom: a distinct cysteine assignment to the HWTX-II family.

Spider venom toxins have raised interest in prospecting new drugs and pesticides. Nevertheless, few studies are conducted with tarantula toxins, especially with species found in Brazil. This study aims to characterize chemically and biologically the first toxin isolated from Acanthoscurria paulensis venom. Ap1a consists of 48 amino acid residues and has a molecular mass of 5457.79 Da. The cloned gene encodes a putative sequence of 23 amino acid residues for the signal peptide and 27 for the pro-peptide. The sequence of the mature peptide is 60-84% identical with those of toxins of the HWTX-II family. Different from the structural pattern proposed for these toxins, the disulfide pairing of Ap1a is of the ICK type motif, which is also shared by the U1-TRTX-Bs1a toxin. Ap1a induced a dose-dependent and reversible paralytic effect in Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars, with an ED50 of 13.0 ± 4.2 µg/g 8 h after injections. In the Drosophila melanogaster Giant Fiber circuit, Ap1a (1.14-22.82 µg/g) reduces both the amplitude and frequency of responses from GF-TTM and GF-DLM pathways, suggesting an action at the neuromuscular junction, which is mediated by glutamatergic receptors. It is also lethal to mice (1.67 µg/g, intracranial route), inducing effects similar to those reported with intracerebroventricular administration of NMDA. Ap1a (1 µM) does not alter the response induced by acetylcholine on the rhabdomyosarcoma cell preparation and shows no significant effects on hNav1.2, hNav1.4, hNav1.5, and hNav1.6 channels. Because of its unique sequence and cysteine assignment to the HWTX-II family, Ap1a is a significant contribution to the structure-function study of this family of toxins.

Solution structure of native and recombinant expressed toxin CssII from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides suffusus suffusus, and their effects on Nav1.5 sodium channels.

The three-dimensional structures of the long-chain mammalian scorpion ß-toxin CssII from Centruroides suffusus suffusus and of its recombinant form, HisrCssII, were determined by NMR. The neurotoxin CssII (nCssII) is a 66 amino acid long peptide with four disulfide bridges; it is the most abundant and deadly toxin from the venom of this scorpion. Both native and recombinant CssII structures were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance using a total of 828 sequential distance constraints derived from the volume integration of the cross peaks observed in 2D NOESY spectra. Both nCssII and HisrCssII structures display a mixed α/ß fold stabilized by four disulfide bridges formed between pairs of cysteines: C1-C8, C2-C5, C3-C6, and C4-C7 (the numbers indicate the relative positions of the cysteine residues in the primary structure), with a distortion induced by two cis-prolines in its C-terminal part. The native CssII electrostatic surface was compared to both the recombinant one and to the Cn2 toxin, from the scorpion Centruroides noxius, which is also toxic to mammals. Structural features such N- and C-terminal differences could influence toxin specificity and affinity towards isoforms of different sub-types of Na(v) channels.

A Conus regularis conotoxin with a novel eight-cysteine framework inhibits CaV2.2 channels and displays an anti-nociceptive activity.

A novel peptide, RsXXIVA, was isolated from the venom duct of Conus regularis, a worm-hunting species collected in the Sea of Cortez, México. Its primary structure was determined by mass spectrometry and confirmed by automated Edman degradation. This conotoxin contains 40 amino acids and exhibits a novel arrangement of eight cysteine residues (C-C-C-C-CC-CC). Surprisingly, two loops of the novel peptide are highly identical to the amino acids sequence of ω-MVIIA. The total length and disulfide pairing of both peptides are quite different, although the two most important residues for the described function of ω-MVIIA (Lys2 and Tyr13) are also present in the peptide reported here. Electrophysiological analysis using superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons indicates that RsXXIVA inhibits CaV2.2 channel current in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 of 2.8 µM, whose effect is partially reversed after washing. Furthermore, RsXXIVA was tested in hot-plate assays to measure the potential anti-nociceptive effect to an acute thermal stimulus, showing an analgesic effect in acute thermal pain at 30 and 45 min post-injection. Also, the toxin shows an anti-nociceptive effect in a formalin chronic pain test. However, the low affinity for CaV2.2 suggests that the primary target of the peptide could be different from that of ω-MVIIA.

Expression in Pichia pastoris of human antibody fragments that neutralize venoms of Mexican scorpions.

The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris has been one of the most widely used organisms in recent years as an expression system for a wide variety of recombinant proteins with therapeutic potential. Its popularity as an alternative system to Escherichia coli is mainly due to the easy genetic manipulation and the ability to produce high levels of heterologous proteins, either intracellularly or extracellularly. Being a eukaryotic organism, P. pastoris carries out post-translational modifications that allow it to produce soluble and correctly folded recombinant proteins. This work, evaluated the expression capacity in P. pastoris of two single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) of human origin, 10FG2 and LR. These scFvs were previously obtained by directed evolution against scorpion venom toxins and are able to neutralize different toxins and venoms of Mexican species. The yield obtained in P. pastoris was higher than that obtained in bacterial periplasm (E. coli), and most importantly, biochemical and functional properties were not modified. These results confirm that P. pastoris yeast can be a good expression system for the production of antibody fragments of a new recombinant antivenom.

Neutralization of Centruroides tecomanus scorpion venom by the use of two human recombinant antibody fragments.

The first toxic component identified against mammals in the venom from Centruroides tecomanus scorpion from Colima, Mexico was Ct1a toxin, which was neutralized by human single chain variable fragment (scFv) RAS27. Venom characterization from these scorpions collected on the Pacific coast of Colima, enabled the identification of a second component of medical importance named Ct71 toxin. Amino acid sequence of Ct71 shares a high identity with Chui5 toxin from C. huichol scorpion, which was neutralized by scFv HV. For this reason, the kinetic parameters of interaction between Ct71 toxin and scFv HV were determined by surface plasmon resonance. Results showed a significantly higher affinity for Ct71 as compared to Chui5. As expected, this toxin was neutralized by scFv HV. The injection of a mixture of scFvs HV and RAS27, resulted in the neutralization of C. tecomanus venom, corroborating that human recombinant antibody fragments can efficiently contribute to the neutralization of medically important toxins and their respective venoms from Mexican scorpions.

Structural and functional studies of scorpine: A channel blocker and cytolytic peptide.

Scorpine is an antimicrobial and antimalarial peptide isolated from Pandinus imperator scorpion venom. As there are few functional and structural studies reported on scorpine-like peptides, we investigated the recombinant truncated N- and C-terminal domains as well as complete scorpine using biological assays and determined the N- and C-terminal structures using solution nuclear magnetic resonance. The study was conducted using recombinant N- and C-terminal peptides and complete scorpine expressed in Escherichia coli. The results showed that N-scorpine presented a random coil structure in water and adopted α-helical folding in the presence of 50% trifluoroethanol (TFE). C-scorpine contains three disulfide bonds with two structural domains: an unstructured N-terminal domain in water that can form a typical secondary alpha-helix structure in 50% TFE and a C-terminal domain with the CS-αß motif. Our findings demonstrate cytolytic activity associated with C-scorpine, N-scorpine, and scorpine, as well as channel blocking activity associated with the C-scorpine domain.

Development of a human antibody fragment cross-neutralizing scorpion toxins.

Previously, it was demonstrated that from the single chain fragment variable (scFv) 3F it is possible to generate variants capable of neutralizing the Cn2 and Css2 toxins, as well as their respective venoms (Centruroides noxius and Centruroides suffusus). Despite this success, it has not been easy to modify the recognition of this family of scFvs toward other dangerous scorpion toxins. The analysis of toxin-scFv interactions and in vitro maturation strategies allowed us to propose a new maturation pathway for scFv 3F to broaden recognition toward other Mexican scorpion toxins. From maturation processes against toxins CeII9 from C. elegans and Ct1a from C. tecomanus, the scFv RAS27 was developed. This scFv showed an increased affinity and cross-reactivity for at least 9 different toxins while maintaining recognition for its original target, the Cn2 toxin. In addition, it was confirmed that it can neutralize at least three different toxins. These results constitute an important advance since it was possible to improve the cross-reactivity and neutralizing capacity of the scFv 3F family of antibodies.