Pioneering Comparative Proteomic and Enzymatic Profiling of Amazonian Scorpion Venoms Enables the Isolation of Their First α-Ktx, Metalloprotease, and Phospholipase A2
Bordon, Karla C. F.; Santos, Gabrielle C.; Martins, Jonas G.et al.
[en] Scorpionism is a growing public health concern in Brazil, with the Amazon region presenting the highest mortality rates but remaining understudied, especially regarding local scorpion venoms composition. This study presents the first comprehensive biochemical characterization of venoms from three Amazonian species—Tityus metuendus (TmetuV), Tityus silvestris (TsilvV), and Brotheas amazonicus (BamazV)—using an integrated approach combining Multi-Enzymatic Limited Digestion (MELD)-based bottom-up proteomics, high-resolution LC-MS/MS, chromatography, zymography, and enzymatic assays. Tityus serrulatus venom was included as a reference. Significant biochemical differences were observed: TsilvV was rich in 20–30 kDa proteins and showed strong metalloprotease activity; BamazV exhibited high molecular weight proteins and potent phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity but lacked proteolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities; TmetuV showed the highest hyaluronidase activity and abundance of α-KTx neurotoxins. Zymography revealed a conserved ~45 kDa hyaluronidase in all species. Three novel components were partially characterized: BamazPLA2 (Group III PLA2), Tmetu1 (37-residue α-KTx), and TsilvMP_A (a metalloprotease homologous to antarease). This is the first application of MELD-based proteomics to Amazonian scorpion venoms, revealing molecular diversity and functional divergence within Tityus and Brotheas, emphasizing the need for region-specific antivenoms. These findings provide a foundation for future pharmacological studies and the discovery of bioactive peptides with therapeutic potential.
Disciplines :
Chemistry
Author, co-author :
Bordon, Karla C. F.; University of São Paulo (USP) > Department of BioMolecular Sciences > School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto
Santos, Gabrielle C.; University of São Paulo (USP) > Department of BioMolecular Sciences > School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto
Martins, Jonas G.; National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA) > Graduate Program in Genetics > Conservation and Evolutionary Biology (PPG GCBEv)
Wiezel, Gisele A.; University of São Paulo (USP) > Department of BioMolecular Sciences > School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto,
Amorim, Fernanda G.; ULiège - University of Liège > MolSys Research Unit > Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry
Crasset, Thomas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Molecular Systems (MolSys)
Redureau, Damien ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Molecular Systems (MolSys)
Quinton, Loïc ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Chimie biologique
Procópio, Rudi E. L.; University of the State of Amazonas (UEA) > Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Natural Resources of Amazon
Arantes, Eliane C.; University of São Paulo (USP) > Department of BioMolecular Sciences > School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto
Language :
English
Title :
Pioneering Comparative Proteomic and Enzymatic Profiling of Amazonian Scorpion Venoms Enables the Isolation of Their First α-Ktx, Metalloprotease, and Phospholipase A2
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