new caerin-like antibacterial peptide from the venom gland of the Iranian scorpion <i>Mesobuthus</i> eupeus: cDNA amplification and sequence analysis

Abstract

Scorpion venom consists of different types of peptides and proteins which are encoded by individual genes. A full length cDNA consisting of 238 base pair nucleotides and encoding 74 amino acids peptide was isolated from the venom gland of the Iranian scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus (Buthidae family). This peptide named M. eupeus caerin-like antimicrobial peptide (Me-CLAP) belonging to the group of antibacterial peptide was previously described from scorpion. In this study, sequence of cDNA encoding Me-CLAP from the M. eupeus venom glands was amplified using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and was analyzed afterwards. Me-CLAP has similar molecular characteristics to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of same genus like Mesobuthus martensii and M. eupeus and more differences were seen with other genus.

Keywords: Caerin-like antimicrobial peptide, Mesobuthus eupeus, semi-nested real-time polymerase chain reaction.