Title:Top-down and Bottom-up Approaches Revealed New Categories of Peptides
from the Venom of Moroccan Scorpion Androctonus mauretanicus
Volume: 2
Author(s): Khadija Daoudi, Christian Malosse, Bouchra Darkaoui, Salma Chakir, Fatima Chgoury, Rachida Cadi, Jean-Marc Sabatier, Julia Chamot-Rooke and Naoual Oukkache*
Affiliation:
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20250, Morocco
Keywords:
Scorpion venom, Androctonus mauretanicus scorpion, toxins, top-down, bottom-up, venomic.
Abstract:
Background: Androctonus mauretanicus (Am ) is one of the most hazardous scorpions
in Morocco and has a highly toxic venom responsible for severe cases of envenomation. However,
few studies have focused on deciphering its proteic composition.
Objectives: Herein, we aim to map out the complete proteome of the Am venom filtrate to highlight
its complexity and the polymorphism of its toxic content. This, in turn, will lead to a deeper understanding
of the toxins’ mechanism of action and will help uncover those with therapeutic potential.
Methods: Top-down and bottom-up proteomic approaches were used complementarily to decipher
the proteome of the Am venom. These approaches were carried out on nano-high liquid chromatography
coupled to nano-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (Nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS).
Results: Am venom encloses a complex mixture of 269 different compounds with molecular
weights ranging from 1618.74 to 14 214.84 Da. The most abundant ones showed masses from
6185.92 to 7899.53 Da (53.89%) followed by those ranging from 2079.25 to 5969.63 Da (37.81%).
Interestingly, the combination of the results of both approaches allowed the screening of a total of
112 peptides. The highest percentage was represented by neuropeptides (87%), including NaTxs,
KTxs, ClTxs, venom proteins, venom neuropeptides, and myotropic neuropeptides. Moreover,
other peptides were identified, such as antimicrobial peptides, amphipathic peptides, cysteine-rich
venom peptides, enzymes, kunitz-type inhibitors and orphan peptides.
Conclusion: The Am venom appears to contain a great number of diverse peptides, some of which
could prospectively be exploited for their pharmaceutical potential.
