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...

Taxonomic revision of the spider genus Azilia Keyserling, 1881 (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)

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Taxonomic revision of the spider genus Azilia Keyserling, 1881 (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)

Abstract

The species of the spider genus Azilia Keyserling, 1881 from the Americas are revised. Cardimia Mello-Leitão, 1940 is removed from the synonymy with Azilia and is newly synonymized with Diphya Nicolet, 1849, with its type species, Cardimia eximia Mello-Leitão, 1940, considered synonymous of Diphya bicolor Vellard, 1926. The genus type species, Azilia formosa Keyserling 1881 described from Peru is redescribed. The type material is considered lost, but here a neotype is designed based on specimens next to the type locality in Peru. Azilia boudeti Simon, 1895, Azilia marmorata Mello-Leitão, 1948, Arochoides integrans Mello-Leitão, 1935 and Cyrtophora vachoni Caporiacco, 1954 had their types examined and are synonymized with Azilia histrio Simon, 1895. The males of Azilia formosa and A. histrio are described for the first time. Azilia affinis O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1893, A. guatemalensis O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1889, A. rojasi Simon, 1895 and A. montana Bryant, 1940 are redescribed and illustrated. Finally, eight new species are described based on males and females, including six from Brazil: Azilia arrebitada sp. nov.; A. catita sp. nov.; A. fabulosa sp. nov.; A. guapa sp. nov.; A. joinha sp. nov.; A. supimpa sp. nov. and two from Mexico: Azilia esplendida sp. nov., and A. hermosa sp. nov.

Brescovit, A. D., Rodrigues, E. N. L., Álvarez-Padilla, F. & Ott, R. (2025b). Taxonomic revision of the spider genus Azilia Keyserling, 1881 (Araneae: Tetragnathidae). Megataxa 18(1): 188-261. doi:10.11646/megataxa.18.1.2