On a new genus of dwarf tarantulas (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) endemic from Peru: evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny, with description of three new species

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  On a new genus of dwarf tarantulas ( Araneae : Mygalomorphae : Theraphosidae ) endemic from Peru: evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny, with description of three new species Abstract Recent field campaigns conducted in Peru along with the examination of museum specimens allowed us to identify small tarantulas that do not fit with any known Theraphosidae genera. Morphology and additional molecular evidence from the mitochondrial gene COI led us to propose Kiskalla gen. nov . from southern Peru, at Puno region. Three new species of Kiskalla gen. nov . ( K. ignacioi sp. nov ., K. yeisoni sp. nov . and K. zukuapasanka sp. nov .) are herein described, diagnosed and illustrated. Kiskalla gen. nov . differs from the known Theraphosinae genera in the presence of lateral stripes on the abdomen and a small dorsal arrowhead-shaped patch of type III urticating setae, presence of a large number of spines on all legs, short and stout setae on the dorsal metatarsi encirc...

Scorpion venom cytolytic peptide Smp43 induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cell line OVCAR-3

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Scorpion venom cytolytic peptide Smp43 induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cell line OVCAR-3

ABSTRACT

Ovarian cancer ranks as the sixth most prevalent type of gynecological cancer. Smp43, a cationic antimicrobial peptide isolated from the scorpion venom of Scorpio maurus palmatus, exhibits notable antibacterial, against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and antifungal activities. This study evaluates the anti-cancer efficacy of Smp43 and examines its effects on cell viability, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, necrosis, and oxidative stress in a human ovarian cancer cell line (OVCAR-3). Smp43 significantly reduced the viability of OVCAR-3 cells compared to the normal fibroblast cell line WI-38, with IC50 values of 7.75 µg/mL and 29.50 µg/mL, respectively. The peptide effectively caused G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in OVCAR-3 cells. It modulated apoptotic markers by downregulating the pro-survival marker Bcl-2 while upregulating the pro-apoptotic markers Bax, p53, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9. Additionally, Smp43 significantly increased DNA fragmentation in OVCAR-3 cells and decreased antioxidant parameters. These findings suggest that Smp43 possesses potential anti-ovarian carcinoma properties, exerting its effects through mechanisms involving apoptosis induction, necrosis, G1 cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of the antioxidant defense system.

Hussein, S. I., Gerges, M. M., Al-Awadhi, R. M., Nafie, M. S., Abdel-Nabi, I. M., Sharma, P. P., & Abdel-Rahman, M. A. (2025). Scorpion venom cytolytic peptide Smp43 induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cell line OVCAR-3. Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 12(1), 300–316. https://doi.org/10.1080/2314808X.2025.2555776