Cytotoxic Effects of Smp24 and Smp43 Scorpion Venom Antimicrobial Peptides on Tumour and Non-tumour Cell Lines

Abstract

Smp24 and Smp43 are novel cationic AMPs identified from the venom of the Egyptian scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus, having potent activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. Here we describe cytotoxicity of these peptides towards three non-tumour cell lines (CD34 + (hematopoietic stem progenitor from cord blood), HRECs (human renal epithelial cells) and HACAT (human skin keratinocytes) and two acute leukaemia cell lines (myeloid (KG1a) and lymphoid (CCRF-CEM) leukaemia cell lines) using a combination of biochemical and imaging techniques. Smp24 and Smp43 (4-256 µg/mL) decreased the cell viability (as measured by intracellular ATP) of all cells tested, although keratinocytes were markedly less sensitive. Cell membrane leakage as evidenced by the release of lactate dehydrogenase was evident throughout and was confirmed by scanning electron microscope studies.

Antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, and antipyretic effects induced by the venom of Egyptian scorpion Androctonus amoreuxi

“…The peptides of scorpion venom exhibit various biological and pharmacological activities (Abdel-Rahman et al, 2015;Cheng et al, 2020;El-Bitar et al, 2019;Elrayess et al, 2019;Harrison et al, 2014;Zeng, Gerardo Corzo, & Hahin, 2005). Peptides are the most abundant structures of scorpion venom and responsible for the neurotoxic as well as cytotoxic effects associated with scorpion sting (Jungo & Bairoch, 2005).…”

“…Currently, the animal venoms (such as snake, marine conus, frog, spider, and scorpion toxins) are considered as one of the main sources for the discovery of these compounds (with high selectivity and therapeutic index; Rajendra, Armugam, & Jeyaseelan, 2004;Altawil, Abdel-Rahman, El-Naggar, El-Khayat, & Abdel-Daim, 2015;Safavi-Hemami, Brogan, & Olivera, 2019). Scorpion venom is a rich source of several biologically active molecules (Abdel-Rahman, Harrison, & Strong, 2015;Harrison, Abdel-Rahman, Strong, Tawfik, & Miller, 2016) with various pharmacological properties including antitumor (Elrayess et al, 2019;Ghosh, Roy, Nandi, & Mukhopadhyay, 2019;Mamelak, 2011), analgesic (Chen & Ji, 2002;Shao et al, 2007), antiepileptic (Wang et al, 2001;Yu, Zhang, Wang, & Liu, 1992), and antimicrobial (El-Bitar et al, 2019;Harrison, Abdel-Rahman, Miller, & Strong, 2014;Harrison et al, 2016) activities. The whole body of Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK) or its venom has been found to be effective in treating certain neurological disorders (such as hemiplegia, facial paralysis, apoplexy, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy), nerve soothing, and as pain killers (especially pains induced by rheumatism and meningitis; Liu et al, 2003).…”

Scorpion Venom Antimicrobial Peptides Induce Caspase-1 Dependant Pyroptotic Cell Death

“…Both peptides had cytotoxic effects on various cancer cell lines (liver, myeloid and lymphoid leukaemia). In contrast, keratinocytes were markedly less sensitive and although Smp24 was cytotoxic to erythrocytes, Smp 43 was non-haemolytic at all concentrations tested (Harrison et al, 2016b;Elrayess et al, 2019).…”

A Comprehensive Review about the Molecular Structure of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Insights into Natural Products against COVID-19

“…Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been found in both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, existing in the skin, epithelial cells, and blood of vertebrates, as well as in insect hemolymphs and the venomous secretions of bees, wasps, snakes, and scorpions. AMPs inhibit the growth of a wide range of microorganisms including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, protozoa, yeast, fungi, and viruses (and are not easy to induce drug resistance) [26][27][28][29][30].…”