Tityus paraguayensis, a scorpion from the Brazilian Cerrado: First assessment of venom and hemolymph composition and biological activity.
Henrique Ranieri Covali-Pontes, Mila Marluce Lima Fernandes, Laís Corrêa de Lima, Maria Ligia Rodrigues Macedo, Giovana Cristina Giannesi, Maria Antônia Bastos de Oliveira, Alda Maria Teixeira Ferreira, Breno Emanuel Farias Frihling, Ludovico Migliolo, Natália Gabrielly Pereira Dos Santos, Monica Viviana Abreu Falla, Guilherme Rabelo Coelho, Malson Neilson de Lucena
Author Information
Henrique Ranieri Covali-Pontes: Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Mila Marluce Lima Fernandes: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Laís Corrêa de Lima: Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Maria Ligia Rodrigues Macedo: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Giovana Cristina Giannesi: Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Maria Antônia Bastos de Oliveira: Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Alda Maria Teixeira Ferreira: Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Breno Emanuel Farias Frihling: Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Ludovico Migliolo: Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Natália Gabrielly Pereira Dos Santos: Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Monica Viviana Abreu Falla: Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Guilherme Rabelo Coelho: Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Malson Neilson de Lucena: Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil. Electronic address: malson.lucena@ufms.br.
Scorpionism is a serious public health problem in Brazil, where scorpion stings are the most frequent accidents caused by venomous animals. Scorpion venoms comprise a complex mixture of different classes of molecules, some of which may possess pharmacological properties. This study aimed to investigate the biological activity and composition of the venom and hemolymph of Tityus paraguayensis, an endemic species found in Mato Grosso do Sul State. The hemolymph showed proteolytic and lipase activities associated with innate immunity and digestive processes, respectively. Although these activities are not believed to be involved in the manifestations of envenomation, they might prove valuable in the prospection of compounds with antimicrobial activity. The venom exhibited phospholipase and lipase activities and stimulated (Na,K)-ATPase activity. The venom was also analyzed for activity against epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. In this assay, T. paraguayensis venom inhibited parasite growth. The venom did not cause cytotoxicity to Vero cells. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed proteins ranging from 10 to 140 kDa, as well as bands with molecular mass <10 kDa, possibly corresponding to neurotoxic peptides. HPLC analysis of T. paraguayensis venom revealed that the highest number of peaks had retention times of 1-20 min (0-35 % acetonitrile). The partial sequence of peak 10 was determined by Q-TOF analysis and was partially identified as a peptide (Tp10) that possible act as a K channel ligand (KTx). Additionally, 5 toxins related to potassium channel toxins, 3 toxins related to sodium channel toxins and a metalloproteinase were identified by shotgun proteomic of T. paraguayensis venom. This is the first report of the biological activities, HPLC profile, electrophoretic pattern and proteomic analysis of T. paraguayensis venom. These findings suggest that T. paraguayensis venom may be a valuable source for the identification of molecules with pharmacological applications.
