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Research article - Vol. 27, 2021 |
Characterization of the first two toxins isolated from the venom of the ancient scorpion Tityus (Archaeotityus) mattogrossensis (Borelli, 1901)
Natiela Beatriz de Oliveira1, Ana Carolina Martins Magalhães1, Carlos Bloch Jr.2, Paulo Sérgio Lacerda Beirão3, Anita de Oliveira Silva3, Rafael D. Melani1, Eder Alves Barbosa2,4, Osmindo Rodrigues Pires Júnior1, Carlos Alberto Schwartz1†
1 Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
2 EMPRABA Center of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
3 Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
4 Laboratory of Biomolecule Synthesis and Analysis, Institute of Chemistry, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Abstract
Background: Almost all Tityus characterized toxins are from subgenera Atreus and Tityus, there are only a few data about toxins produced by Archaeotityus, an ancient group in Tityus genus.
Methods: Tityus (Archaeotityus) mattogrossensis crude venom was fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography, the major fractions were tested in a frog sciatic nerve single sucrose-gap technique. Two fractions (Tm1 and Tm2) were isolated, partially sequenced by MALDI-TOF/MS and electrophysiological assayed on HEK293 Nav 1.3, HEK293 Nav 1.6, DUM and DRG cells.
Results: The sucrose-gap technique showed neurotoxicity in four fractions. One fraction caused a delay of action potential repolarization and other three caused a reduction in amplitude. An electrophysiological assay showed that Tm1 is active on HEK293 Nav 1.3, HEK293 Nav 1.6, DUM and DRG cells, and Tm2 on HEK293 Nav 1.3 and DRG cells, but not in HEK293 Nav 1.6. In addition, Tm1 and Tm2 did promote a shift to more negative potentials strongly suggesting that both are α-NaScTx.
Conclusion: Although Tityus (Archaeotityus) mattogrossensis is considered an ancient group in Tityus genus, the primary structure of Tm1 and Tm2 is more related to Tityus subgenus. The patch clamp electrophysiological tests suggest that Tm1 and Tm2 are NaScTx, and also promoted no shift to more negative potentials, strongly suggesting that both are α-NaScTx. This paper aimed to explore and characterize for the first time toxins from the ancient scorpion Tityus (Archaeotityus) mattogrossensis.
Keywords: Archaeotityus Scorpion Tityus (Archaeotityus) mattogrossensis Toxins
Correspondence: osmindo@unb.br
Received: 31 March 2021; Accepted: 15 June 2021; Published online: 13 December 2021