Comparison of biological activities of Tityus pachyurus venom from two Colombian regions

Abstract

Background: In the present study, we have tested whether specimens of the medically relevant scorpion Tityus pachyurus, collected from two climatically and ecologically different regions, differ in the biological activities of the venom. Methods: Scorpions were collected in Tolima and Huila, Colombia. Chemical profiles of the crude venom were obtained from 80 scorpions for each region, using SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. Assays for phospholipase A 2 , direct and indirect hemolytic, proteolytic, neuromuscular, antibacterial, and insecticidal activities were carried out. Results: The electrophoretic profiles of venom from the two regions showed similar bands of 6-14 kDa, 36-45 kDa, 65 kDa and 97 kDa. However, bands between 36 kDa and 65 kDa were observed with more intensity in venoms from Tolima, and a 95 kDa band occurred only in venoms from Huila. The chromatographic profile of the venoms showed differences in the intensity of some peaks, which could be associated with changes in the abundance of some components between both populations. Phospholipase A 2 and hemolytic activities were not observable, whereas both venoms showed proteolytic activity towards casein. Insecticidal activity of the venoms from both regions showed significant variation in potency, the bactericidal activity was variable and low for both venoms. Moreover, no differences were observed in the neuromuscular activity assay. Conclusion: Our results reveal some variation in the activity of the venom between both populations, which could be explained by the ecological adaptations like differences in feeding, altitude and/or diverse predator exposure. However more in-depth studies are necessary to determine the drivers behind the differences in venom composition and activities.

An overview of some enzymes from buthid scorpion venoms from Colombia: Centruroides margaritatus, Tityus pachyurus, and Tityus n. sp. aff. metuendus

“…Regarding the venom of Tityus pachyurus , thirteen of the tested fractions gave positive results ( Figure 1C and Additional file 7 ), with a phospholipase activity ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 cm compared to the positive control (C+), which had an average value of 1.6 cm. These results differ from those found by Solano-Godoy et al [ 44 ]. This discrepancy is likely due to the low concentration of enzymes in the whole venom, making it not easily detected by the technique used in that study.…”

“…The sequencing result of band 101 from T. pachyurus obtained with MALDI-TOF/TOF confirmed the presence of a peptide related to proteases (Table 5). Further analysis using MASCOT sequence analysis shows a coverage of 3% and 100% identity with the metalloproteinase sequence of T. obscurus (JAT91159.1, 6), agreeing with the results described by Solano-Godoy et al [44], where the presence of proteases in scorpion venoms was demonstrated.…”

Characterization of a Lab-Scale Process to Produce Whole IgG Antivenom Covering Scorpion Stings by Genus Tityus and Centruroides of Colombia

“…In a different Centruroides species from Colombia, Mendoza-Tobar et al calculated an LD 50 of 19.5 mg/kg in C. margaritatus from the Cauca province. The LD 50 discrepancies with previous reports for T. asthenes and Centruroides may be due to individual geographical variability and the interspecific differences as previously reported in the venom from C. edwardsii and T. pachyurus from Colombia [5,16]. In the case of T. asthenes, individuals used by Gomez et al were collected exclusively in the Uraba sub-regions (Antioquia).…”

Leishmanicidal activity of the venoms of the Scorpions Brotheas amazonicus and Tityus metuendus

“…The inhibition results obtained through the leishmanicidal assay indicated that the venoms have a direct effect on Leishmania in vitro, showing that the venoms contain molecules that can be effective against the natural resistance of parasites. Antimicrobial peptides derived from scorpion venom have aroused great interest among researchers and in the pharmaceutical industry for the development of new drugs, due to their potent activity, low resistance rates and a unique mode of action (Solano-Godoy et al, 2021).…”