Volume 27, Issue 4 (7-2023)                   IBJ 2023, 27(4): 158-166 | Back to browse issues page


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Baradaran M, Mahdavinia M, Naderi Soorki M, Jorfi S. Identification, Characterization, and Modeling of a Bioinsecticide Protein Isolated from Scorpion Venom gland: A Three-Finger Protein. IBJ 2023; 27 (4) :158-166
URL: http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-3885-en.html
1- Toxicology research center, Medical basic sciences research institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran , mb.baradaran@gmail.com
2- Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Toxicology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran, Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Toxicology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
3- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
4- Toxicology research center, Medical basic sciences research institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran, Toxicology research center, Medical basic sciences research institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract:  
Background: The majority of insecticides target sodium channels. The increasing emergence of resistance to the current insecticides has persuaded researchers to search for alternative compounds. Scorpion venom gland as a reservoir of peptides or proteins, which selectively target insect sodium channels. These proteins would be an appropriate source for finding new suitable anti-insect components.
Methods: Transcriptome of venom gland of scorpion Mesbuthus eupeus was obtained by RNA extraction and complementary DNA library synthesis. The obtained transcriptome was blasted against protein databases to find insect toxins against sodium channel based on the statistically significant similarity in sequence. Physicochemical properties of the identified protein were calculated using bioinformatics software. The three-dimensional structure of this protein was determined using homology modeling, and the final structure was assessed by molecular dynamics simulation.
Results: The sodium channel blocker found in the transcriptome of M. eupeus venom gland was submitted to the GenBank under the name of meuNa10, a stable hydrophilic protein consisting of 69 amino acids, with the molecular weight of 7721.77 g/mol and pI of 8.7. The tertiary structure of meuNa10 revealed a conserved LCN-type cysteine-stabilized alpha/beta domain stabilized by eight cysteine residues. The meuNa10 is a member of the 3FP superfamily consisting of three finger-like beta strands.
Conclusion: This study identified meuNa10 as a small insect sodium channel-interacting protein with some physicochemical properties, including stability and water-solubility, which make it a good candidate for further in vivo and in vitro experiments in order to develop a new bioinsecticide.
* Corresponding Author Address: Toxicology research center, Medical basic sciences research institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

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