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Discovery of a New Analgesic Peptide, Leptucin, from the Iranian Scorpion, Hemiscorpius lepturus.

ABSTRACT: Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion stings do not induce considerable pain based on epidemiological surveys conducted in the southwest part of Iran. Accordingly, this study was aimed to identify the analgesic molecule in H. lepturus venom by analyzing a cDNA library of the scorpion venom gland looking for sequences having homology with known animal venom analgesic peptides. The analgesic molecule is a cysteine rich peptide of 55 amino acids. the synthetic peptide was deprotected and refolded. RP-HPLC, Ellman's, and DLS assays confirmed the refolding accuracy. Circular dichroism (CD) showed helix and beta sheet contents. This peptide, called leptucin, demonstrated 95% analgesic activity at the dose of 0.48 mg/kg in hot plate assay. Leptucin at the doses of 0.32, 0.48, and 0.64 mg/kg showed 100% activity in thermal tail flick test. No hemolysis or cytotoxicity was observed at 8 and 16 µg. Histopathology evaluations indicated no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity. We thus report that leptucin is the analgesic agent of H. lepturus venom. Regarding the high in vivo efficacy of leptucin and the fact it shows no observable toxicity, it could be suggested as a drug lead in a preclinical study of acute pain as well as the study of its mechanism of action.

SUBMITTER: Bagheri-Ziari S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8124257 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Discovery of Leptulipin, a New Anticancer Protein from theIranian Scorpion, Hemiscorpius lepturus.

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| S-EPMC9000277 | biostudies-literature

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| S-EPMC1868827 | biostudies-literature

Cellular Immunity in Mice Vaccinated with Recombinant Phospholipase D Toxoid of Hemiscorpius lepturus Scorpion.

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| S-EPMC9807843 | biostudies-literature

Hemiscorpius lepturus

Project description:Hemiscorpius lepturus Transcriptome or Gene expression

| PRJNA312013 | ENA

Novel Mutant Phospholipase D from Hemiscorpius lepturus Acts as A Highly Immunogen in BALB/c Mice Against the Lethality of Scorpion Venom.

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| S-EPMC7180795 | biostudies-literature

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| S-EPMC5371857 | biostudies-literature

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| S-EPMC6667720 | biostudies-literature

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| S-EPMC5392222 | biostudies-literature

First Transcriptome Analysis of Iranian Scorpion, Mesobuthus Eupeus Venom Gland.

Project description:Scorpions are generally an important source of bioactive components, including toxins and other small peptides as attractive molecules for new drug development. Mesobuthus eupeus, from medically important and widely distributed Buthidae family, is the most abundant species in Iran. Researchers are interesting on the gland of this scorpion due to the complexity of its venom. Here, we have analyzed the transcriptome based on expressed sequence tag (EST) database from the venom tissue of Iranian M. eupeus by constructing a cDNA library and subsequent Sanger sequencing of obtained inserts. Sixty-three unique transcripts were identified, which were grouped in different categories, including Toxins (44 transcripts), Cell Proteins (9 transcripts), Antimicrobial Peptides (4 transcripts) and Unknown Peptides (3 transcripts). The analysis of the ESTs revealed several new components categorized among various toxin families with effect on ion channels. Sequence analysis of a new precursor provides evidence to validate the first CaTxs from M. eupeus. The results are exploration of the diversity of precursors expressed of Iranian M. eupeus venom gland. We further described comparative analysis of venom components of Iranian M. eupeus with other sibling species.

| S-EPMC6269579 | biostudies-literature

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