Identification of an antiviral component from the venom of the scorpion Liocheles australasiae using transcriptomic and mass spectrometric analyses

Scorpion venom contains a variety of biologically active peptides. Among them, neurotoxins are major components in the venom, but it also peptides that show antimicrobial activity. Previously, we identified three insecticidal from Liocheles australasiae scorpion, activities and structures other remained unknown. In this study, performed transcriptome analysis gland scorpion L. to gain comprehensive understanding its components. The result shows potassium channel toxin-like were most diverse, whereas only limited number sodium observed. addition these neurotoxin-like peptides, many non-disulfide-bridged identified, suggesting have some critical roles venom. isolated component with antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus using bioassay-guided fractionation approach. By integrating mass spectrometric transcriptomic data, successfully LaPLA2-1 as an anti-HCV component. is phospholipase A2 having heterodimeric structure N-glycosylated at N-terminal region. Since was inhibited by PLA2 inhibitor, enzymatic likely be involved