Protease inhibitor in scorpion (Mesobuthus eupeus) venom prolongs the biological activities of the crude venom / 中国天然药物
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.)
;
(6): 607-614, 2016.
Artigo
em Inglês
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-812586
ABSTRACT
It is hypothesized that protease inhibitors play an essential role in survival of venomous animals through protecting peptide/protein toxins from degradation by proteases in their prey or predators. However, the biological function of protease inhibitors in scorpion venoms remains unknown. In the present study, a trypsin inhibitor was purified and characterized from the venom of scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus, which enhanced the biological activities of crude venom components in mice when injected in combination with crude venom. This protease inhibitor, named MeKTT-1, belonged to Kunitz-type toxins subfamily. Native MeKTT-1 selectively inhibited trypsin with a Kivalue of 130 nmol·L(-1). Furthermore, MeKTT-1 was shown to be a thermo-stable peptide. In animal behavioral tests, MeKTT-1 prolonged the pain behavior induced by scorpion crude venom, suggesting that protease inhibitors in scorpion venom inhibited proteases and protect the functionally important peptide/protein toxins from degradation, consequently keeping them active longer. In conclusion, this was the first experimental evidence about the natural existence of serine protease inhibitor in the venom of scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus, which preserved the activity of venom components, suggests that scorpions may use protease inhibitors for survival.
Texto completo:
DisponíveL
Índice:
WPRIM (Pacífico Ocidental)
Assunto principal:
Inibidores de Proteases
/
Venenos de Escorpião
/
Escorpiões
/
Dados de Sequência Molecular
/
Cinética
/
Sequência de Bases
/
Tripsina
/
Química
/
Sequência de Aminoácidos
/
Toxicidade
Limite:
Animais
Idioma:
Inglês
Revista:
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.)
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Artigo
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