Molecular Characterization of a cDNA Encoding of an Anionic Cysteine-Free Antimicrobial Peptide From the Iranian Scorpion Odontobuthus Doriae Venom Glands

Background: The venom peptides from the scorpion fauna of Iran have been poorly characterized so far. Objectives: In this study, we identified a cDNA encoding of an anionic cysteine-free antimicrobial peptide from the Iranian yellow scorpion odontobuthus doriae (O.doriae). Methods: The cDNA sequence of an anionic antimicrobial-peptide (AMP) was determined from the venom gland cDNA library of Iranian yellow scorpion O.doriae and was named ODAMP۵. This sequence was characterized by a software. Then, the structure and function of its putative peptide were predicted in a bioinformatics manner. The library was constructed from ۶ scorpion venom glands. The cDNA related to ODAMP۵ was isolated from one positive clone of the library. Results: The analysis of ODAMP۵ reveals a ۵۱-residue mature peptide with an anionic property that was stable in physiological states. ODAMP۵ was similar to anionic peptide Aba-۲ from Androctonus bicolor and according to its structure, it can be a member of helical structure AMPs with a new type of putative conserved domain. Putative ODAMP۵ has a small size which makes it convenient for synthesis. Conclusion: Furthermore, we created a framework to express the ODAMP۵ peptide for future biomedical and pharmacological studies. ODAMP۵ may be a new suitable therapeutic strategy for bacterial infection among a few recognized scorpion venom peptides without disulfide bridges.

Keywords:

Anionic cysteine-free , Molecular characterization , cDNA library , Odontobuthus doriae , Venom glands