Structural characterization of a novel peptide with antimicrobial activity from the venom gland of the scorpion Tityus stigmurus: Stigmurin

• DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.03.003
• Publication Date: 2015-04-05T19:44:57Z
• Authors: Edinara Targino d...; Andréia Bergamo E...; Elizabeth Cristin...; Paula Renata Lima...; Kleber Juvenal Si...; Taffarel Melo Torres; Enéas Carvalho; João Paulo Matos ...; Arnóbio Antonio S...; Euzébio Guimarães...; Matheus de Freita...
• Keywords: Buthidae; Random coil

A new antimicrobial peptide, herein named Stigmurin, was selected based on a transcriptomic analysis of the Brazilian yellow scorpion Tityus stigmurus venom gland, an underexplored source for toxic peptides with possible biotechnological applications. Stigmurin investigated in silico, by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and vitro. The CD spectra suggested that this peptide interacts membranes, changing its conformation presence amphipathic environment, predominance random coil beta-sheet structures. exhibited antibacterial antifungal activity, minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 8.7 to 69.5 μM. It also showed is against SiHa Vero E6 cell lines. results suggest can be considered potential anti-infective drug.