Characterization of high molecular mass components from Tityus serrulatus venom

• Grant number: 21/11547-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2021
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Toxicology
• Principal Investigator: Eliane Candiani Arantes Braga
• Grantee: Nicoly Malachize Alano da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The yellow scorpion Tityus serrulatus is one of the species of the genus Tityuspresent in Brazil, being the main cause of accidents by scorpions in the country, and considered the most venomous species of South America. Because of their good adaptation to urban environments and easy dissemination due to its parthenogenetic reproduction, this species has significant epidemiological importance, since it causes poisoning in human beings, and in serious cases, it can lead to death. The treatment for T. serrulatus poisoning is done through the scorpion serum, produced with the venom of the animal. This venom is composed of a complex mixture of compounds, such as neurotoxins, proteases, hyaluronidases, salts, carbohydrates, among others. Among the components of the venom, the neurotoxins are the main responsible for the symptoms caused by the poisoning, acting on the sodium and potassium channels, inhibiting or modulating them. Low mass molecular toxins of the venom have been widely studied, presenting a great range of interesting results. However, most high molecular compounds have not yet been isolated and characterized. Therefore, the aim of this study is to make a structural and functional characterization of high molecular mass components from T. serrulatus venom, obtained through chromatography of the venom in a reverse phase or an ion-exchange column followed by functional assays appropriate to each isolated class of molecules. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ISADORA SOUSA DE OLIVEIRA; NICOLY MALACHIZE ALANO-DA-SILVA; ISABELA GOBBO FERREIRA; FELIPE AUGUSTO CERNI; JACQUELINE DE ALMEIDA GONÇALVES SACHETT; WUELTON MARCELO MONTEIRO; MANUELA BERTO PUCCA; ELIANE CANDIANI ARANTES. Understanding the complexity of Tityus serrulatus venom: A focus on high molecular weight components. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases, v. 30, 2024-01-22. (22/08964-8, 20/13176-3, 21/11547-7, 21/11936-3, 19/10173-6)