Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

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  Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae) Abstract A new scorpion species, Cicileus derradji sp. nov., is described from Tin Zaouatine District, In Guezzam Province, southern Algeria. The description is based on an adult male holotype, an adult female paratype and a juvenile specimen, and is supported by detailed morphological analyses, including colouration, morphometrics, carination patterns and trichobothrial arrangement. This discovery extends the known distribution of the genus Cicileus approximately 500 km southwestward within Algeria. With the addition of this species, the number of recognised species in the genus increases to six. The new species is compared with all previously known species of Cicileus , and detailed colour photographs, including images taken under ultraviolet illumination, are provided. Derradj, L., Aydın Yağmur, E., Benali, N., & Bikada, M. (2026). Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from south...

Electrophysiological Characterization of the Venom and Toxins from the Scorpion Tityus championi Targeting Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels and Molecular Modeling of Tch3, a Toxin with Therapeutic Potential for Pain Relief

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Electrophysiological Characterization of the Venom and Toxins from the Scorpion Tityus championi Targeting Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels and Molecular Modeling of Tch3, a Toxin with Therapeutic Potential for Pain Relief

Abstract

Scorpion neurotoxins are small peptides that target ion channels and offer opportunities for novel therapeutic discovery. This study analyzed the functional effects of the venom and toxins from the Costa Rican endemic scorpion, Tityus championi. Initially, crude venom was tested on different isoforms of voltage-gated sodium channels. Our findings revealed that the venom contains toxins that affect mammalian NaV1.6 and NaV1.7, as well as the cockroach BgNaV1 channel. Increased currents through NaV1.6 and BgNaV1 channels were associated with bigger window currents and inhibition of inactivation. Decreased NaV1.7 currents were associated with smaller conductance. Crude venom and TCh3 toxin inhibited action potential generation in invertebrate neurons expressing NaV1.7-like channels. In these neurons, Tch2 and Tch4 toxins shifted voltage sensitivity to more negative potentials, ultimately widening the window current but decreasing channel availability. Conversely, Tch3 behaved as an inhibitory toxin, closing window currents and decreasing channel availability. Structural modeling showed that Tch3 adopts an αββ fold and binds the S3–S4 loop of Domain II in human NaV1.7. These data show the diverse effects of scorpion venoms on channels and neurons, characterize its principal toxins, and show that Tch3 has therapeutic potential for pain relief.

Akerman-Sánchez, G., Peigneur, S., Carleer, K., Ortiz, N., Navia, F., Fierro, L., Castaño, S., Díaz, C., Tytgat, J., & Brenes, O. (2026). Electrophysiological Characterization of the Venom and Toxins from the Scorpion Tityus championi Targeting Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels and Molecular Modeling of Tch3, a Toxin with Therapeutic Potential for Pain Relief. Biomolecules. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16040552