Abstract

Scorpion venoms are a complex mixture of components. Among them the most important are peptides, which presents the capacity to interact and modulate several ion channel subtypes, including voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV). Screening the activity of scorpion toxins on different subtypes of NaV reveals the scope of modulatory activity and, in most cases, low channel selectivity. Until now there are approximately 60 scorpion toxins experimentally assayed on NaV channels. However, the molecular bases of interaction between scorpion toxins and NaV channels are not fully elucidated. The activity description of new scorpion toxins is crucial to enhance the predictive strength of the structural–function correlations of these NaV modulatory molecules. In the present work a new scorpion toxin (Tf1a) was purified from Tityus fasciolatus venom by RP-HPLC, and characterized using electrophysiological experiments on different types of voltage-gated sodium channels. Tf1a was able to modify the normal function of NaV tested, showing to be a typical β-NaScTx. Tf1a also demonstrated an unusual capability to alter the kinetics of NaV1.5.

Highlights

  • Scorpions belongs to the Arthropoda phylum, representing approximately 1.5% of the species present in Arachnidae class [1]

  • Scorpion venoms are comprised of several compounds such as enzymes, free amino acids, heterocyclic components, peptides, and proteins [6]

  • All the results show the capacity of the toxin to induce a

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Summary

Introduction

Scorpions belongs to the Arthropoda phylum, representing approximately 1.5% of the species present in Arachnidae class [1]. From the 160 species found in Brazil, the Tityus genus is considered the most important due to their medical relevance [1,2]. Tityus fasciolatus is found in the central region of Brazil, more precisely in the Cerrado biome causing accidents at those area [3,4,5]. Scorpion venoms are comprised of several compounds such as enzymes, free amino acids, heterocyclic components, peptides, and proteins [6]. The most studied components are peptides due to their abundance and distinct activity on ion channels [7]. These compounds acts on Na+ , K+ , Cl− , and Ca2+ channels changing their normal functioning [8].

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