CDNA Cloning and Sequence Analysis of an Alpha Neurotoxin-Like Gene BMK from the Scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus Venom Glands Using Semi-Nested RT-PCR

This work aimed to study the characterization and isolation of a alpha neurotoxinBmK, from the venom glands of Scorpion Buthida Mesobuthus eupeus Kuzestan (Iran). Scorpions Mesobuthus eupeus were collected from the Khuzestan province. Using RNXTM solution, the total RNA was extracted from the twenty separated venom glands. cDNA was synthesized with extracted total RNA as template and modified oligo(dT) as primer. In order to amplify cDNA encoding a BMK neurotoxin, Semi-Nested RT-PCR was done with the specific primers. Follow amplification, the fragment was sequenced. The length of the coding region was 255 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 85 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 9.565 kDa and theoretical isoelectric point of 4.69.The open reading frame encoded 85 amino acid residues corresponding to the BMK precursor Alpha neurotoxin from M. eupeus belongs to the Toxin_3 super family. The size of peptide is close to the "long chain neurotoxin" peptide family.