Sex Role–Dependent Behavioral and Architectural Divergence in a Jumping Spider

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  Sex Role–Dependent Behavioral and Architectural Divergence in a Jumping Spider ABSTRACT Sex differences in behavior and functional traits are often attributed to differences in mating effort intensity, but the role of sex-specific parental demands remains poorly understood. Using the jumping spider Toxeus maxillosus —where males engage in mate searching and courtship without providing parental care, while females provide extended maternal care from egg attendance to offspring maturity (around 3 months)—we conducted an exploratory investigation into whether these distinct selective pressures led to divergence in spatial behaviors and nest architecture. Results revealed that males and females showed equivalent accuracy, latency, and learning-related performance in both a route-planning test under water stress and a color-pattern associative memory task. In contrast, during nest-construction assays, females built complex, multi-entrance structures that closely matched the container'...

Unveiling new Kv1.3 channel blockers from scorpion venom: Characterization of Meuk7–3 and in silico design of its analogs for enhanced affinity and therapeutic potential

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Unveiling new Kv1.3 channel blockers from scorpion venom: Characterization of Meuk7–3 and in silico design of its analogs for enhanced affinity and therapeutic potential

Abstract

Kv1.3 channels are associated with autoimmune and neuroinflammatory diseases. Scorpion venom is an excellent source of inhibitors for Kv1.3. Kv1.3, a pivotal voltage-gated potassium channel, has emerged as a critical therapeutic target for combating autoimmune and neuroinflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Some studies have tried to discover highly selective toxins targeting Kv1.3 channels, but it is still challenging. Here, we present a groundbreaking discovery of a potent peptide potassium channel blocker, Meuk7–3, derived from the venom of the scorpion, Mesobuthus crucittii. While similar to other Kv1.3 blockers, Meuk7–3's Lys19 residue may enhance its affinity for the channel. So, we redesigned the Meuk7–3 and generated three analogous, Meuk7–3 A, Meuk7–3B, and Meuk7–3C, to improve its drug-like properties and affinity to Kv1.3. Interaction evaluation with Kv1.3 revealed that Meuk7–3 and all its designed analogous could of Kv1.3's pore through the interaction of Lys19 of the peptide with Tyr447, Tyr797, Tyr1147, and Tyr1497, critical residues located at the channel pore of Kv1.3.However, the stability of the interaction of designed peptides with Kv1.3 was more than Meuk7–3. Binding affinity analysis revealed that all designed peptides had a better binding affinity to Kv1.3 than Meuk7–3. Among the three analogous, Meuk7–3 A was found to have better drug-like properties and interaction situations, including binding energy and affinity to Kv1.3, compared to Meuk-3 native. These findings provide new data for designing highly effective Kv1.3 inhibitors by computational tools for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, although experimental testing is necessary to validate them.
Shariati, S., Mafakher, L., Shirani, M., & Baradaran, M. (2025). Unveiling new Kv1.3 channel blockers from scorpion venom: Characterization of Meuk7–3 and in silico design of its analogs for enhanced affinity and therapeutic potential. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 319, 145327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145327