Electrophysiological Characterization of the Venom and Toxins from the Scorpion Tityus championi Targeting Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels and Molecular Modeling of Tch3, a Toxin with Therapeutic Potential for Pain Relief

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  Electrophysiological Characterization of the Venom and Toxins from the Scorpion Tityus championi Targeting Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels and Molecular Modeling of Tch3, a Toxin with Therapeutic Potential for Pain Relief Abstract Scorpion neurotoxins are small peptides that target ion channels and offer opportunities for novel therapeutic discovery. This study analyzed the functional effects of the venom and toxins from the Costa Rican endemic scorpion,  Tityus championi . Initially, crude venom was tested on different isoforms of voltage-gated sodium channels. Our findings revealed that the venom contains toxins that affect mammalian Na V 1.6 and Na V 1.7, as well as the cockroach BgNa V 1 channel. Increased currents through Na V 1.6 and BgNa V 1 channels were associated with bigger window currents and inhibition of inactivation. Decreased Na V 1.7 currents were associated with smaller conductance. Crude venom and TCh3 toxin inhibited action potential generation in invertebr...

An integrative taxonomy of the genus Stasimopus Simon 1892 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) of the Karoo with the description of nine new species and a Stasimopus maraisi Hewitt 1914 male

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An integrative taxonomy of the genus Stasimopus Simon 1892 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) of the Karoo with the description of nine new species and a Stasimopus maraisi Hewitt 1914 male

Abstract

The genus Stasimopus Simon 1892 is endemic to Southern Africa, but is historically largely understudied. This paper provides a taxonomic revision for the Stasimopus species of the Karoo region of South Africa and includes the description of nine new species (S. dylani sp. nov., S. finni sp. nov., S. hamartia sp. nov., S. ignis sp. nov., S. karooensis sp. nov., S. malesociatus sp. nov., S. tera sp. nov., S. theaei sp. nov. and S. venterstadensis sp. nov.). A description of the genetically matched S. maraisi Hewitt 1914 male is provided. The original S. maraisi male is designated to its own new species (S. malesociatus sp. nov.). An identification key is provided for species occurring in the Karoo region. This is the first integrative taxonomy for the genus that includes morphological, geometric morphometric as well as genetic data.

Brandt, S., Sole, C. & Lyle, R. (2023). An integrative taxonomy of the genus Stasimopus Simon 1892 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) of the Karoo with the description of nine new species and a Stasimopus maraisi Hewitt 1914 male. Zootaxa 5341(1): 1-60. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5341.1.1 

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