Document Type : Original Article (s)
Authors
1
Department of Genetics, School of Science, Shahaid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy AND Toxicology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
3
Professor, Department of Genetics, School of Science, Shahaid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
Background: Scorpion venom contains bioactive peptides that have potential of medicinal value in drug discovery. Nowadays, many studies indicated the treatment feature of scorpion venom component apart from their normal activities in venom. One type of venom peptides is calcium channel toxins which blocked ryanodine sensitive calcium channels (RyR). Uncontrolled function of RyR2 has been seen in heart arrhythmia. Calcium toxins that inhibit these ion receptors can be a natural drug for treatment of this type of anomalies.Methods: cDNA (complementary DNA) library was constructed from six telsons of Odontobuthus doriae scorpion. ODCaTx1 cDNA was isolated from library and characterized molecularly by some software such as ORFfinding, BlastP, Clustal Omega, SignalP4.1, DISULFIND, ProtParam and Phyre2.Findings: ODCaTx1 putative peptide had low molecular weight (4440.1D) and 43 amino acids in length which classified as a stable molecule. Based on various bioinformatic assessments, this peptide was similar to the RyR2 toxin from Hottentotta judaicus. The estimated half-life was 30 hours (mammalian reticulocytes, in vitro).Conclusion: In this project, cDNA sequence of the ryanodine receptor toxin isoform-2 and its putative peptide from Iranian yellow scorpion “Odontobuthus doriae” were characterized molecularly. In addition, by preparation of a framework for expression of ODCaTx1 identified in this project, we create a ground to accesses enough peptide for feature used. ODCaTx1 due to its small size and stability can be a good candidate for pharmaceutical research in the field of heart arrhythmia and seizure treatment.
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