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Elmourid A, Elhidan MA, Boussaa S, Laaradia MA, Bouimeja B, Amahmid O, Merzouki M, Touloun O. A Comprehensive Pathophysiologic, Histologic, and Biochemical Analysis of Buthus paris (C. L. Koch, 1839) Venom. Wilderness Environ Med 2024; 35:271-277. [PMID: 38715403 DOI: 10.1177/10806032241249748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Buthus species, including B paris, are classified as one of the most dangerous scorpion genera in Morocco, implicated in several cases of human death. Our objective is to characterize, for the first time, the toxicity and histopathologic and biochemical impacts of B paris venom. METHODS We investigated the experimental pathophysiology of B paris venom by examining histologic changes in vital organs (heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs) and assessing biochemical enzymatic markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, urea, and creatinine) in mice injected subcutaneously with 2 doses of 400 and 450 mg·kg-1. RESULTS Our results showed that the subcutaneous median lethal dose of B paris venom was around 0.52 mg·kg-1. Histologic findings revealed significant tissue damage in the previously mentioned vital organs, confirmed through biochemical analysis indicating impaired heart and liver functions. Additionally, an increase in urea, creatinine, and glucose levels occurred following B paris venom injection. CONCLUSION Our findings show that B paris venom exhibits a high level of experimental toxicity. These results highlight the potentially lethal nature of this venom and emphasize the potential medical importance of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdessamad Elmourid
- Polyvalent Team of Research and Development (EPVRD), Department of Biology and Geology, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - My Abdelmonaim Elhidan
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Samia Boussaa
- Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques (ISPITS), Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Mehdi Ait Laaradia
- Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques (ISPITS), Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Btissam Bouimeja
- Polyvalent Team of Research and Development (EPVRD), Department of Biology and Geology, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Omar Amahmid
- Department of Life and Earth Sciences (Biology/Geology Research Units), Regional Centre for Careers of Education and Training Crmef Marrakech-Safi, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Merzouki
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
| | - Oulaid Touloun
- Polyvalent Team of Research and Development (EPVRD), Department of Biology and Geology, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
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Mendoza-Tobar LL, Clement H, Arenas I, Sepulveda-Arias JC, Vargas JAG, Corzo G. An overview of some enzymes from buthid scorpion venoms from Colombia: Centruroides margaritatus, Tityus pachyurus, and Tityus n. sp. aff. metuendus. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2024; 30:e20230063. [PMID: 38505508 PMCID: PMC10950367 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In Colombia, several species of Buthidae scorpions belonging to the genera Centruroides and Tityus coexist, and their stings are considered life-threatening to humans because of their venom neurotoxins. Despite previous studies focusing on neurotoxins from these scorpion genera, little is known about the enzymes present in their venoms and their relationship with whole venom toxicity. Methods Here, using proteomic and biochemical protocols the enzymatic activities of the venoms of three Colombian scorpion species, C. margaritatus, T. pachyurus, and T. n. sp. aff. metuendus, were compared to establish the presence and absence of enzymes such as phospholipases, hyaluronidases, and proteases that could be related to venom toxicity. Results: C. margaritatus was positive for hyaluronidases, T. n. sp. aff. metuendus for proteases, and T. pachyurus exhibited activity for all three mentioned enzymes. Conclusion This information provides valuable insights into the specific enzyme diversity of each species' venom and their potential role in venom toxicity, which could contribute to the development of better treatments and prevention strategies for scorpion envenomation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leydy Lorena Mendoza-Tobar
- Grupo de Investigaciones Herpetológicas y Toxinológicas, Facultad de
Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y de la Educación, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán,
Colombia
| | - Herlinda Clement
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de
Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca Morelos,
México
| | - Iván Arenas
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de
Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca Morelos,
México
| | - Juan Carlos Sepulveda-Arias
- Grupo de Infección e Inmunidad, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud,
Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
| | - Jimmy Alexander Guerrero Vargas
- Grupo de Investigaciones Herpetológicas y Toxinológicas, Facultad de
Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y de la Educación, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán,
Colombia
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de
Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca Morelos,
México
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García-Villalvazo PE, Jiménez-Vargas JM, Lino-López GJ, Meneses EP, Bermúdez-Guzmán MDJ, Barajas-Saucedo CE, Delgado Enciso I, Possani LD, Valdez-Velazquez LL. Unveiling the Protein Components of the Secretory-Venom Gland and Venom of the Scorpion Centruroides possanii (Buthidae) through Omic Technologies. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:498. [PMID: 37624255 PMCID: PMC10467079 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Centruroides possanii is a recently discovered species of "striped scorpion" found in Mexico. Certain species of Centruroides are known to be toxic to mammals, leading to numerous cases of human intoxications in the country. Venom components are thought to possess therapeutic potential and/or biotechnological applications. Hence, obtaining and analyzing the secretory gland transcriptome and venom proteome of C. possanii is relevant, and that is what is described in this communication. Since this is a newly described species, first, its LD50 to mice was determined and estimated to be 659 ng/g mouse weight. Using RNA extracted from this species and preparing their corresponding cDNA fragments, a transcriptome analysis was obtained on a Genome Analyzer (Illumina) using the 76-base pair-end sequencing protocol. Via high-throughput sequencing, 19,158,736 reads were obtained and ensembled in 835,204 sequences. Of them, 28,399 transcripts were annotated with Pfam. A total of 244 complete transcripts were identified in the transcriptome of C. possanii. Of these, 109 sequences showed identity to toxins that act on ion channels, 47 enzymes, 17 protease inhibitors (PINs), 11 defense peptides (HDPs), and 60 in other components. In addition, a sample of the soluble venom obtained from this scorpion was analyzed using an Orbitrap Velos apparatus, which allowed for identification by liquid chromatography followed by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of 70 peptides and proteins: 23 toxins, 27 enzymes, 6 PINs, 3 HDPs, and 11 other components. Until now, this work has the highest number of scorpion venom components identified through omics technologies. The main novel findings described here were analyzed in comparison with the known data from the literature, and this process permitted some new insights in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juana María Jiménez-Vargas
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Colima, Colima 28400, Mexico; (P.E.G.-V.); (J.M.J.-V.); (C.E.B.-S.)
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología (CONAHCYT), Mexico City 03940, Mexico
| | - Gisela Jareth Lino-López
- Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Biológico, Dirección General de Sanidad Vegetal SENASICASADER, Colima 28110, Mexico;
| | - Erika Patricia Meneses
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca 62210, Mexico;
| | | | | | | | - Lourival Domingos Possani
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca 62210, Mexico;
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Estrada-Gomez S, Núñez V, Vargas-Muñoz LJ, Madrid-Bracamonte CA, Preciado LM. Characterization of a Lab-Scale Process to Produce Whole IgG Antivenom Covering Scorpion Stings by Genus Tityus and Centruroides of Colombia. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091047. [PMID: 36145268 PMCID: PMC9502926 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion stings are a public health event in Colombia lacking official epidemiological data, and are considered a medical emergency. Despite the two local producers of antivenoms, neither of them is currently manufacturing scorpion antivenoms. We present the characterization of a lab-scale process to produce the first specific scorpion antivenom for Colombia, formulated to cover scorpion stings produced by Tityus pachyurus, Tityus asthenes, Tityus fuhrmanii, Centruroides spp. To do so, rabbits were immunized by subcutaneous injection with each venom using an immunization program of 3 months. After each rabbit reached the required IgG concentration, rabbits were bled, and plasma was separated by decantation under refrigeration. Immunoglobulins were purified from each hyperimmune plasma using a methodology including precipitation with ammonium sulfate, thermocoagulation, and purification through an ultrafiltration process using a ready-to-use and reusable laboratory crossflow tangential cassette with a polyethersulfone membrane. Each hyperimmune plasma was processed by being separated and freeze-dried at the end of the process. Rabbits were able to produce specific IgG antibodies recognizing the respective immunization venom; even an in vitro interspecies cross-recognition was detected. The separation and purification processes allowed us to obtain IgG products without considerable contaminants (except for albumin). The process was characterized, and critical stages were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Estrada-Gomez
- Grupo de Toxinología y Alternativas Terapeuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia
- Tech Life Saving (TLS), Tech Innovation Group Company, Medellin 050022, Colombia
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +57-604-2192315 or +57-604-2196535
| | - Vitelbina Núñez
- Grupo de Toxinología y Alternativas Terapeuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia
- Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Leidy Johana Vargas-Muñoz
- Grupo de Toxinología y Alternativas Terapeuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia
- Tech Life Saving (TLS), Tech Innovation Group Company, Medellin 050022, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellin 050012, Colombia
| | | | - Lina Maria Preciado
- Grupo de Toxinología y Alternativas Terapeuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia
- Tech Life Saving (TLS), Tech Innovation Group Company, Medellin 050022, Colombia
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