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Published on: November 3, 2014
Molecular Characterization and Biodiversity of a Putative Chlorotoxin from the Iranian Yellow Scorpion Odontobuthus
Maryam Naderi Soorki1, Amir Jalali2, Hamid Galehdari1
1Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Background:
Chloride channels have already been over-expressed in the different types of cancer. Chlorotoxins, as the blocking agent of these channels, have been indicated to be an effective drug against tumors. In this study, we characterized a putative chlorotoxin from a cDNA library of the venom glands obtained from the Iranian scorpion Odontobuthus doriae.
Methods:
A cDNA library was constructed from venom gland transcriptome of six scorpions. The cDNA encoding Odontobuthus doriae chlorotoxin was isolated from the library, and its putative peptide was characterized by some bioinformatics software such as protein blast, SignalP4.0, DISULFIND and Clustal Omega.
Results:
The mature Odontobuthus doriae chlorotoxin peptide has a 35-amino-acid residue and four disulfide bounds. This putative chlorotoxin is a small, compact, and stable molecule. Moreover, based on the open reading frame sequence similarity, this peptide is similar to Buthus martensii Karsch chlorotoxin like toxin and Bm12-b neurotoxins from the Chinese scorpion Mesobuthus martensii.
Conclusion:
The small size of this putative chlorotoxin and its stability make it as a suitable candidate for medical and pharmacological research, especially in the cancer research.
Insights
Researchers identified a novel chlorotoxin from the Iranian scorpion Odontobuthus doriae. This small, stable peptide shows potential as a therapeutic agent for cancer research due to its ability to block chloride channels.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chloride channels are over-expressed in various cancers.
- Chlorotoxins, which block these channels, are potential anti-cancer drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a putative chlorotoxin from the Iranian scorpion Odontobuthus doriae.
- To assess its potential in cancer research.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a cDNA library from scorpion venom glands.
- Isolation and characterization of the Odontobuthus doriae chlorotoxin using bioinformatics tools (e.g., BLAST, SignalP, DISULFIND, Clustal Omega).
Main Results:
- The mature Odontobuthus doriae chlorotoxin is a 35-amino-acid peptide with four disulfide bonds.
- The peptide is small, compact, and stable.
- Sequence similarity was found with chlorotoxin-like toxins from Mesobuthus martensii.
Conclusions:
- The characterized chlorotoxin's small size and stability make it a promising candidate for medical and pharmacological applications.
- Its potential is particularly noted in cancer research for its chloride channel-blocking properties.
