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...

Re-delimitation of the genus Emertonella (Araneae, Theridiidae, Hadrotarsinae) and taxonomic notes on Euryopis and Phycosoma from China

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Re-delimitation of the genus Emertonella (Araneae, Theridiidae, Hadrotarsinae) and taxonomic notes on Euryopis and Phycosoma from China

Abstract

Hadrotarsinae Thorell, 1881 is a subfamily of cobweb spiders (Theridiidae) distributed worldwide and generally regarded as specialized ant predators. The taxonomy of Hadrotarsinae is problematic due to unclear delimitation of genera, leading to likely misplacement of many species. In the current paper, we provide taxonomic amendments for Emertonella Bryant, 1945, Euryopis Menge, 1868, and Phycosoma O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1880 based on Chinese materials. Examination of Eu. deplanata Schenkel, 1936 and Em. taczanowskii (Keyserling, 1886) supports Yoshida’s concept of Emertonella and provides additional morphological evidence for refining the generic diagnosis. Accordingly, Eu. deplanata is formally transferred, with 30 additional species, from Euryopis to Emertonella, and Em. taczanowskii is redescribed. Furthermore, Physcoa mingyaoi (Yin, 2012), comb. nov. ex. Euryopis and Lasaeola stigmosum (Yin, 2012), comb. nov. ex. Phycosoma are transferred, and one new synonym is proposed, Phycosoma amamiense (Yoshida, 1985), syn. nov. = Phycosoma japonicum (Yoshida, 1985). Finally, the first descriptions of the males of Em. deplanata (Schenkel, 1936), comb. nov. and Phycosoma ripa (Zhu, 1998) are provided.

Hu C, Zhang H, Jiang M, Liu F (2026) Re-delimitation of the genus Emertonella (Araneae, Theridiidae, Hadrotarsinae) and taxonomic notes on Euryopis and Phycosoma from China. ZooKeys 1270: 285-305. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1270.175743