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In Brazil, Tityus serrulatus (Ts) is the species responsible for most of the scorpion related accidents. Among the Ts toxins, the neurotoxins with action on potassium channels (α-KTx) present high interest, due to their effect in the envenoming process and the ion channel specificity they display. The α-KTx toxins family is the most relevant because its toxins can be used as therapeutic tools for specific target cells. The improved isolation method provided toxins with high resolution, obtaining pure Ts6 and Ts7 in two chromatographic steps. The effects of Ts6 and Ts7 toxins were evaluated in 14 different types of potassium channels using the voltage-clamp technique with two-microelectrodes. Ts6 toxin shows high affinity for Kv1.2, Kv1.3 and Shaker IR, blocking these channels in low concentrations. Moreover, Ts6 blocks the Kv1.3 channel in picomolar concentrations with an IC50 of 0.55 nM and therefore could be of valuable assistance to further designing immunosuppressive therapeutics. Ts7 toxin blocks multiple subtypes channels, showing low selectivity among the channels analyzed. This work also stands out in its attempt to elucidate the residues important for interacting with each channel and, in the near future, to model a desired drug.

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Scorpion venoms are natural sources of molecules that have, in addition to their toxic function, potential therapeutic applications. In this source the neurotoxins can be found especially those that act on potassium channels. Potassium channels are responsible for maintaining the membrane potential in the excitable cells, especially the voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv), including Kv1.3 channels. These channels (Kv1.3) are expressed by various types of tissues and cells, being part of several physiological processes. However, the major studies of Kv1.3 are performed on T cells due its importance on autoimmune diseases. Scorpion toxins capable of acting on potassium channels (KTx), mainly on Kv1.3 channels, have gained a prominent role for their possible ability to control inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Some of these toxins have already left bench trials and are being evaluated in clinical trials, presenting great therapeutic potential. Thus, scorpion toxins are important natural molecules that should not be overlooked in the treatment of autoimmune and other diseases.

Mature Ts1, the main neurotoxin from Tityus serrulatus venom, has its C-terminal Cys amidated, while the isolated isoform of Ts1, named Ts1-G, keeps the non-amidated Gly residue at the C-terminal region, allowing the study of the comparative functional importance of amidation at the C-terminal between these two native toxins. Voltage dependent sodium current measurements showed that the affinity of Ts1-G for sodium channels is smaller than that of the mature Ts1, confirming the important role played by the C-terminal amidation in determining Ts1 activity.

To date, several families of peptide toxins specifically interacting with ion channels in scorpion venom have been described. One of these families comprise peptide toxins (called KTxs), known to modulate potassium channels. Thus far, 202 KTxs have been reported, belonging to several subfamilies of KTxs (called α, β, γ, κ, δ, and λ-KTxs). Here we report on a previously described orphan toxin from Tityus serrulatus venom, named Ts11. We carried out an in-depth structure-function analysis combining 3D structure elucidation of Ts11 and electrophysiological characterization of the toxin. The Ts11 structure is highlighted by an Inhibitor Cystine Knot (ICK) type scaffold, completely devoid of the classical secondary structure elements (α-helix and/or β-strand). This has, to the best of our knowledge, never been described before for scorpion toxins and therefore represents a novel, 6th type of structural fold for these scorpion peptides. On the basis of their preferred interaction with voltage-gated K channels, as compared to all the other targets tested, it can be postulated that Ts11 is the first member of a new subfamily, designated as ε-KTx.

Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) are enzymes responsible for inflammatory effects, edema formation, myotoxicity, neurotoxicity and other manifestations from envenoming. In this paper we report the isolation and biochemical characterization of Lmr-PLA2, the first acidic PLA2 found in Lachesis muta rhombeata venom. Furthermore, this study compared biological effects of Lmr-PLA2 and crotoxin B (CB), a PLA2 from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. Lmr-PLA2 was isolated by molecular exclusion and reversed phase chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a molecular mass of 13,975 Da, pI of 5.46 and its partial amino acid sequence showed a high identity with PLA2s already described in the literature. In addition, this enzyme possesses the residue D49 in its amino acid sequence, indicating that it is a catalytically active PLA2. Lmr-PLA2 presented high phospholipase activity and was able to inhibit platelet aggregation. Studies of biochemical characterization of new PLA2s, as Lmr-PLA2, are relevant since they help to clarify the structure-function relationship of this important class of toxins.

Foram alguns anos de trabalho, e nesse tempo tive o privilégio de estar e conhecer pessoas sem as quais eu não teria chegado onde cheguei, nem conquistado o que conquistei. Não me refiro apenas à pesquisa, mas ao crescimento pessoal e profissional. Pessoas que contribuíram como colaboradores, bem como aqueles que contribuíram com seu apoio e carinho em minha vida. Por diferentes motivos e razões, gostaria de agradecer: À minha família, pai e mãe, pela vida, pelo amor e carinho, pelos puxões de orelha, pela paciência e pelo apoio incondicional ao longo de toda minha vida. Ao meu querido amigo e companheiro de viagem, Fábio Akioma, agradeço pelos muitos anos de paciência, carinho, incentivo, contribuição profissional e pessoal, por me ajudar a crescer na vida, chegar onde estou e me tornar a mulher que sou. À Prof a Eliane Candiani Arantes, minha orientadora. Agradeço pela confiança, por compartilhar seus conhecimentos, pelas exigências e, acima de tudo, pela paciência, por ser mais que uma orientadora, pelo carinho e amizade, compreensão e incentivo. Ao querido amigo, ex-professor e orientador, Prof. Dr. Wilson Roberto Malfará, que me mostrou a grandiosidade da Toxicologia. À Prof a Dr a Ana Maria de Souza, por sua contribuição intelectual nesse trabalho e por abrir as portas de seu laboratório. Ao Dr. Rodrigo C. G de Souza, por todo seu conhecimento como criador de Lachesis muta rhombeata, pelo conhecimento médico em envenenamento e pelo fornecimento da peçonha.