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...

Paranita, a new genus of spiders from northeastern Argentina (Araneae, Trachelidae)

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Paranita, a new genus of spiders from northeastern Argentina (Araneae, Trachelidae)

Abstract


Paranita, a new spider genus in the family Trachelidae, is described with two new species, Paranita paulae sp. n. and Paranita inesae sp. n., both from grasslands and marshes of the Paraná and Uruguay Rivers in northeastern Argentina. Paranita species are similar to those of the genera Orthobula and Capobula in having abundant spines on the tibia, metatarsus and tarsus of the two pairs of anterior legs, as well as large pores on the surface of the carapace and a peculiar morphology of the claw lever of the legs. Phylogenetic analysis of molecular sequences and morphological data suggests that Paranita is not closely related to those genera and, therefore, these similarities would be evolutionary convergences.

RAMÍREZ, Martín J.; GRISMADO, Cristian. Paranita, a new genus of spiders from northeastern Argentina (Araneae, Trachelidae). Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales nueva serie, [S.l.], v. 26, n. 1, p. 47-68, may. 2024. ISSN 1853-0400. Available at: <http://revista.macn.gob.ar/ojs/index.php/RevMus/article/view/824>. Date accessed: 28 May. 2024.