New locality records and future habitat suitability of Sassanidotus gracilis (Birula, 1900) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan arid belt

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  New locality records and future habitat suitability of Sassanidotus gracilis (Birula, 1900) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan arid belt Abstract This study reports new locality records from Iran and a climate-based habitat suitability assessment for Sassanidotus gracilis (Birula, 1900) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan arid belt. We document new specimens from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, with an updated distribution map and illustrations, and we model the species' potential distribution across south-eastern Iran and adjacent parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Habitat suitability was associated mainly with precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, and slope. In an arid setting these rainfall variables are unlikely to indicate a need for moist habitat; they more plausibly track seasonal productivity and the terrain features that provide shelter. Present-day suitable areas...

Snake Venom Meets Oncology: Unraveling the Anticancer Potential of Crotamine

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By Leandro Avelar - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49733700

Snake Venom Meets Oncology: Unraveling the Anticancer Potential of Crotamine

Abstract

Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, prompting the search for novel therapeutic strategies that minimize the limitations of current treatments. Crotamine, a cationic myotoxin isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus spp., has emerged as a promising anticancer candidate due to its selective cytotoxicity toward tumor cells and multifaceted biological activities. This review examines the structural and functional characteristics of crotamine, emphasizing its mechanisms of action, such as disruption of ionic homeostasis through calcium influx, inhibition of voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv), and its preferential uptake by proliferating cells as a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). Moreover, crotamine facilitates the intracellular delivery of bioactive compounds, enhancing drug selectivity and efficacy. Preclinical studies have demonstrated its ability to inhibit tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, with minimal toxicity to normal tissues and low immunogenicity. These features position crotamine as a strong candidate for anticancer drug development. However, further investigation is essential to fully elucidate its molecular targets and mechanisms and to support its clinical translation.
Jacob, B., Alberghini-dos-Santos, J., Ferreira, I., Vieira, B., Malachias-Pires, G., Cerni, F., Pucca, M., Arantes, E., & Oliveira, I. (2025). Snake Venom Meets Oncology: Unraveling the Anticancer Potential of Crotamine. Toxicon, 108670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108670