The underlying mechanism of scorpion venom peptide BmK AS in reducing epilepsy seizures: mediated through dual modulation of Nav1.6 and the inflammasome pathway

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  The underlying mechanism of scorpion venom peptide BmK AS in reducing epilepsy seizures: mediated through dual modulation of Nav1.6 and the inflammasome pathway Abstract Introduction:  Voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) dysregulation, particularly of the Nav1.6 subtype, is a core mechanism underlying epileptogenesis and its associated neuropsychiatric comorbidities. The scorpion venom peptide BmK AS has demonstrated anticonvulsant potential, but its efficacy in chronic epilepsy and the precise mechanisms of action remain undefined. Methods:  Here, we show that BmK AS exerts robust anti-epileptic and neuroprotective effects through converging mechanisms. In a kainic acid-induced mouse model, BmK AS treatment reduced mortality and seizure parameters. Electrophysiological studies assessed BmK AS modulation of VGSC subtypes. The functional relevance of Nav1.6 targeting was confirmed by the loss of BmK AS’s anti-seizure efficacy upon its pharmacological blockade in a PTZ-in...

New records of Sarcophagidae and Phoridae (Insecta: Diptera) associated with scorpions in Panama (Arachnida: Scorpiones)

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New records of Sarcophagidae and Phoridae (Insecta: Diptera) associated with scorpions in Panama (Arachnida: Scorpiones)

Abstract
Very little is known about insect parasitoids or scavengers of scorpions. In this study we found three cases of endoparasitoidism by Sarcophagidae (Diptera) in three species of Tityus Koch: Lepidodexia sp. on Tityus festae Borelli and larvae of unidentified flesh flies on Tityus jaimei Miranda, Bermúdez, Flórez, Armas and Tityus cerroazul Lourenço. We recorded a case of scavenging by Puliciphora fenestrata Borgmeier on T. jaimei.

Miranda RJ, Cambra RA, De Armas LF, Moran CA, Brown B, Pape T. 2025. New records of Sarcophagidae and Phoridae (Insecta: Diptera) associated with scorpions in Panama (Arachnida: Scorpiones). ENTOMOTROPICA, 40: 34-42.