Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small molecules, which have a potential use as antibiotic or pharmacological tools. In chelicerate organisms, such as scorpions, these molecules constitute an alternative defense system against microorganisms. The aim of this work was to identify AMPs in the hemolymph of the Tityus serrulatus scorpion. Fractions of plasma and hemocytes were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and then analyzed to determine their activity in inhibiting microbial growth. One of the fractions from the hemocytes presents antimicrobial activity against microorganisms, such as Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and yeast. These fractions were analyzed by mass spectrometry, and a fragment of 3564 Da. was identified. The peptide was called serrulin, because it is derived from the species T. serrulatus. A comparison of the amino acid sequence of serrulin with databases shows that it has a similarity to the glycine-rich peptides described in Cupienius salai and Acanthoscurria gomesiana (spiders). Furthermore, serrulin has no hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. While the presence of AMPs in T. serrulatus venom has been described in other works, this is the first work to characterize the presence of these molecules in the hemolymph (hemocytes) of this species and show its potential use as an alternative to conventional antibiotics against different species of microorganisms.
Highlights
In Brazil, there have been many studies on the species of yellow scorpion, Tityus serrulatus, which belongs to the Buthidae family
While the presence of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in T. serrulatus venom has been described in other works, this is the first work to characterize the presence of these molecules in the hemolymph of this species and show its potential use as an alternative to conventional antibiotics against different species of microorganisms
After extraction of the hemolymph from the Tityus serrulatus scorpion, hemocytes and plasma were separated by centrifugation
Summary
In Brazil, there have been many studies on the species of yellow scorpion, Tityus serrulatus, which belongs to the Buthidae family. Scorpion stings are the most commonly reported accident of the reported accidents relating to venomous animals in Brazil, and the species T. serrulatus is considered one of the most dangerous species in Brazil [1]. T. serrulatus has a high proliferation by parthenogenesis [2] and is very common, mainly in Southeastern Brazil. T. serrulatus venom is composed mainly of neurotoxins that interact in molecular complexes that are essential cell membrane components (ion channels) [3]. The antimicrobial action of two T. serrulatus toxins (TsAP-1 and TsAP-2). While there have been studies that elucidate the composition and toxicity of the venom, there are no researches that describe the functioning of the immune system or characterize the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from the hemolymph (plasma and hemocytes) of T. serrulatus
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