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Suely G. Figueiredo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Combined proteomic and functional analysis reveals rich sources of protein diversity in skin mucus and venom from the Scorpaena plumieri fish
Journal of proteomics, 2018Co-Authors: Márcia Helena Borges, Thiago N. Menezes, Filipe Andrich, Pedro H. Lemos, Thiago Geraldo Soares, Fabiana Vasconcelos Campos, Leandro Xavier Neves, William Castro-borges, Suely G. FigueiredoAbstract:Abstract The biological activities observed upon envenomation by Scorpaena plumieri could be linked to both the venom and the skin mucus. Through a proteomic/functional approach we analyzed protein composition and biological activities of the venom and skin mucus. We identified 885 proteins: 722 in the Venomous Apparatus extracts (Sp-VAe) and 391 in the Skin Mucus extract (Sp-SMe), with 494 found exclusively in Sp-VAe, being named S. plumieri Venom Proteins (Sp-VP), while 228 were found in both extracts. The majority of the many proteins identified were not directly related to the biological activities reported here. Nevertheless, some were classified as toxins/potentially interesting molecules: lectins, proteases and protease inhibitors were detected in both extracts, while the pore-forming toxin and hyaluronidase were associated with Sp-VP. Proteolytic and anti-microbial activities were linked to both extracts, while the main toxic activities – cardiovascular, inflammatory, hemolytic and nociceptive – were elicited only by Sp-VAe. Our study provided a clear picture on the composition of the skin mucus and the venom. We also show that the classic effects observed upon envenomation are produced by molecules from the venomous gland. Our results add to the growing catalogue of scorpaeniform fish venoms and their skin mucus proteins. Significance In this study a large number of proteins – including classical and non-classical toxins – were identified in the venomous apparatus and the skin mucus extracts of the Scorpaena plumieri fish through shotgun proteomic approach. It was shown that the toxic effects observed upon envenomation are elicited by molecules originated from the venomous gland. These results add to the growing catalogue of scorpaeniform fish venoms and their skin mucus proteins – so scarcely explored when compared to the venoms and bioactive components of terrestrial animals. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD009983
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Advances in the characterization of the Scorpaena plumieri cytolytic toxin (Sp-CTx).
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology, 2018Co-Authors: Pedro F. Malacarne, Thiago N. Menezes, Gustavo B. Naumann, Helena L. Gomes, Suely G. Figueiredo, Cleciane Waldetário Martins, Rita G. W. Pires, Fabiana Vasconcelos CamposAbstract:Abstract Proteins that account for the hemolytic activity found in scorpaeniform fish venoms are responsible for the majority of the effects observed upon envenomation, for instance, neurotoxic, cardiotoxic and inflammatory effects. These multifunctional toxins, described as protein lethal factors and referred to as cytolysins, are known to be extremely labile molecules. In the present work, we endeavored to overcome this constraint by determining optimal storage conditions for Sp-CTx, the major bioactive component from the scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri venom. This cardiotoxic hemolytic cytolysin is a large dimeric glycoprotein (subunits of ≈65 kDa) with pore-forming ability. We were able to establish storage conditions that allowed us to keep the toxin partially active for up to 60 days. Stability was achieved by storing Sp-CTx at −80 and −196 °C in the presence of glycerol 10% in a pH 7.4 solution. It was demonstrated that the hemolytic activity of Sp-CTx is calcium dependent, being abolished by EDTA and zinc ions. Furthermore, the toxin exhibited its maximal hemolytic activity at pH between 8 and 9, displaying typical N- and O- linked glycoconjugated residues (galactose (1–4) N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid (2–3) galactose in N- and/or O-glycan complexes). The hemolytic activity of Sp-CTx was inhibited by phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, suggesting a direct electrostatic interaction lipid - toxin in the pore-formation mechanism of action of this toxin. In addition, we observed that the hemolytic activity was inhibited by increasing doses of cholesterol. Finally, we were able to show, for first time, that Sp-CTx is at least partially responsible for the pain and inflammation observed upon envenomation. However, while the edema induced by Sp-CTx was reduced by pre-treatment with aprotinin and HOE-140, pointing to the involvement of the kallikrein-kinin system in this response, these drugs had no significant effect in the toxin-induced nociception. Taken together, our results could suggest that, as has been already reported for other fish cytolysins, Sp-CTx acts mostly through lipid-dependent pore formation not only in erythrocytes but also in other cell types, which could account for the pain observed upon envenomation. We believe that the present work paves the way towards the complete characterization of fish cytolysins.
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A review on the Scorpaena plumieri fish venom and its bioactive compounds
Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Fabiana V. Campos, Thiago N. Menezes, Pedro F. Malacarne, Fábio L. S. Costa, Gustavo B. Naumann, Helena L. Gomes, Suely G. FigueiredoAbstract:The most poisonous fish species found along the Brazilian coast is the spotted scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri . Though hardly ever life-threatening to humans, envenomation by S. plumieri can be quite hazardous, provoking extreme pain and imposing significant socioeconomic costs, as the victims may require days to weeks to recover from their injuries. In this review we will walk the reader through the biological features that distinguish this species as well as the current epidemiological knowledge related to the envenomation and its consequences. But above all, we will discuss the challenges involved in the biochemical characterization of the S. plumieri venom and its compounds, focusing then on the successful isolation and pharmacological analysis of some of the bioactive molecules responsible for the effects observed upon envenomation as well as on experimental models. Despite the achievement of considerable progress, much remains to be done, particularly in relation to the non-proteinaceous components of the venom. Therefore, further studies are necessary in order to provide a more complete picture of the venom’s chemical composition and physiological effects. Given that fish venoms remain considerably less studied when compared to terrestrial venoms, the exploration of their full potential opens a myriad of possibilities for the development of new drug leads and tools for elucidating the complex physiological processes.
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Cardiovascular effects of Sp-CTx, a cytolysin from the scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) venom.
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology, 2016Co-Authors: Helena L. Gomes, Thiago N. Menezes, Pedro F. Malacarne, Danilo Roman-campos, Antonio Nei Santana Gondim, Jader S. Cruz, Dalton Valentim Vassallo, Suely G. FigueiredoAbstract:Fish venom cytolysins are multifunctional proteins that in addition to their cytolytic/hemolytic effects display neurotoxic, cardiotoxic and inflammatory activities, being described as "protein lethal factors". A pore-forming cytolysin called Sp-CTx (Scorpaena plumieriCytolytic Toxin) has been recently purified from the venom of the scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri. It is a glycoprotein with dimeric constitution, comprising subunits of approximately 65 kDa. Previous studies have revealed that this toxin has a vasorelaxant activity that appears to involve the L-arginine-nitric oxide synthase pathway; however its cardiovascular effects have not been fully comprehended. The present study examined the cardiovascular effects of Sp-CTx in vivo and in vitro. In anesthetized rats Sp-CTx (70 μg/kg i.v) produced a biphasic response which consisted of an initial systolic and diastolic pressure increase followed by a sustained decrease of these parameters and the heart rate. In isolated rats hearts Sp-CTx (10(-9) to 5 × 10(-6) M) produced concentration-dependent and transient ventricular positive inotropic effect and vasoconstriction response on coronary bed. In papillary muscle, Sp-CTx (10(-7) M) also produced an increase in contractile isometric force, which was attenuated by the catecholamine releasing agent tyramine (100 μM) and the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol (10 μM). On isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes Sp-CTx (1 nM) increased the L-type Ca(2+) current density. The results show that Sp-CTx induces disorders in the cardiovascular system through increase of sarcolemmal calcium influx, which in turn is partially caused by the release of endogenous noradrenaline.
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identification of c type isolectins in the venom of the scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri
Toxicon, 2015Co-Authors: Filipe Andrich, Gustavo B. Naumann, M Richardson, M N Cordeiro, Agenor Valadares Santos, D Dos M Santos, J S Oliveira, M E De Lima, Suely G. FigueiredoAbstract:Abstract Chemical analyses of the hemagglutinating fraction from Scorpaena plumieri venom revealed that it contains five components (Sp-CL 1-5) with similar chromatographic elution profiles (35–38% of acetonitrile), molecular masses (16,800–17,000 Da) and N-terminal sequences, suggesting that they are isoforms of the same protein. The amino acid sequence of Sp-CL4 was determined and shown to have homology with fish C-type lectins. These data demonstrate for the first time the presence of C-type isolectins in a scorpionfish venom.
Hiroyuki Motomura - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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review of indo pacific species of the scorpionfish genus Scorpaena teleostei scorpaenidae with descriptions of two new species from the west coast of australia
Ichthyological Research, 2021Co-Authors: Kunto Wibowo, Hiroyuki MotomuraAbstract:A taxonomic review of Indo-Pacific species of the scorpionfish genus Scorpaena resulted in the recognition of 21 valid species (including 2 subspecies and 2 new species) and 13 synonyms. The new species, Scorpaena longaecrista and Scorpaena sororreginae, were described on the basis of 50 and 23 specimens, respectively, from the west coast of Australia. Updated definitions of both the genus and species of Indo-Pacific Scorpaena, based on previously published characters and confirmed by examination of type and non-type specimens in this study, are provided. A diagnosis, synonymy, distribution, and list of specimens examined (or appropriate citation if previously published in detail) are given for each species, together with an identification key for all valid Indo-Pacific species of Scorpaena.
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review of the Scorpaena papillosa species complex teleostei scorpaenidae with description of a new species from southwestern australia
Zootaxa, 2020Co-Authors: Kunto Wibowo, Hiroyuki MotomuraAbstract:A taxonomic review of the Scorpaena papillosa species complex, defined here as having 10 dorsal-fin soft rays, coronal spines, and two upwardly directed spines on the lacrimal bone, resulted in the recognition of two species and two subspecies, Scorpaena papillosa (Schneider Forster, 1801) including two subspecies, i.e., S. papillosa papillosa (New Zealand) and S. papillosa ergastulorum Richardson, 1842a (southeastern Australia), and S. vesperalis n. sp. (southwestern Australia). Scorpaena p. papillosa and S. p. ergastulorum, are redescribed, with designation of a neotype for S. p. papillosa. Scorpaena vesperalis n. sp., described from coastal waters off southwestern Western Australia on the basis of 57 specimens, is characterized as follows: pectoral-fin rays 14-16; longitudinal scale rows 37-41; body depth 32.3-39.5 % of SL; upper-jaw length 19.6-22.5 % of SL; maxilla depth 5.7-7.3 % of SL; postorbital length 18.2-21.3 % of SL; least distance between interorbital ridges 1.4-2.7 % of SL; 1st anal-fin spine length 7.2-10.0 % of SL; anterior lacrimal spine simple, without additional small spinous points on its posterior margin; a single united pore behind the lower jaw symphysial knob; relatively large supraocular tentacle; all fins of preserved specimens usually uniformly whitish to translucent; and small body size (maximum recorded length 67.6 mm SL). The new species is likely endemic to southwestern Australia. Morphological ontogenetic changes in the relative lengths of some body proportions in the three taxa are also discussed.
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Scorpaena regina a new scorpionfish teleostei scorpaenidae from the east coast of queensland australia
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Kunto Wibowo, Jeffrey W Johnson, Hiroyuki MotomuraAbstract:The new, small-sized scorpionfish, Scorpaena regina, is described on the basis of 59 specimens from the east coast of Queensland, Australia, from depths of 2-57 m. The new species is most similar to the southwestern Pacific species, S. bulacephala and the Hawaiian endemic S. colorata, all three species being distinguished from all other Indo-Pacific species of Scorpaena by the following combination of characters: exposed cycloid scales covering the anteroventral surface of the body and pectoral-fin base, the lateral surface and dorsal margin of the lacrimal without spines, and the lateral surface of the maxilla without longitudinal ridges. The new species differs from S. bulacephala and S. colorata in having lower numbers of pectoral-fin rays, scale rows below the lateral line, and total gill rakers [13-17 (mode 16), 11-14 (12), and 13-17 (14 or 15), respectively], a simple anterior lacrimal spine, posterior tip of the pectoral fin (seventh or eighth ray longest) not reaching to vertical through first anal-fin spine, smaller body size (maximum size 64.5 mm SL), and shallower habitat (2-57 m). Morphological ontogenetic changes in the relative lengths of some body proportions in the new species are also discussed.
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redescription of the indo west pacific scorpionfish Scorpaena neglecta temminck schlegel 1843 a senior synonym of four nominal species teleostei scorpaenidae
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Kunto Wibowo, Hiroyuki MotomuraAbstract:The Indo-West Pacific scorpionfish Scorpaena neglecta Temminck & Schlegel (1843) is redescribed on the basis of two syntypes and 129 additional specimens from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and Australia, and a lectotype is proposed. Four nominal species, Scorpaena fimbriata Doderlein in Steindachner & Doderlein, 1884, Scorpaena izensis Jordan & Starks, 1904, Scorpaena hemilepidota Fowler, 1938 and Scorpaenopsella armata Fowler, 1938, are regarded as junior synonyms of Scorpaena neglecta . Morphological changes with growth of S. neglecta are discussed.
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redescription of the indo west pacific scorpionfish scorpaenidae neomerinthe erostris alcock 1896 a senior synonym of Scorpaena gibbifrons fowler 1938 n rotunda chen 1981 and n bathyperimensis zajonz klausewitz 2002
Zootaxa, 2015Co-Authors: Hiroyuki Motomura, Romain Causse, Philippe Bearez, Subhrendu Sekhar MishraAbstract:The Indo-West Pacific species, Neomerinthe erostris (Alcock 1896), originally described as Scorpaena erostris, is redescribed as a senior synonym of Scorpaena gibbifrons Fowler 1938, N. rotunda Chen 1981, and N. bathyperimensis Zajonz & Klausewitz 2002. Although the latter three nominal species have been regarded as valid species and N. erostris has not been reported since 1898, examinations of type specimens of the four nominal species revealed that they represent a single species. A lectotype of Scorpaena erostris is herein designated. Neomerinthe erostris is characterized by having a distinct longitudinal ridge on the lateral surface of the maxilla and a strongly rounded dorsal profile of the head.
Arturo P Acero - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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peces oseos comerciales del parque gorgona pacifico colombiano osteichthyes muraenesocidae hemiramphidae belonidae scorpaenidae triglidae malacanthidae gerreidae sparidae kyphosidae sphyraenidae e istiophoridae
Revista De Biologia Tropical, 2015Co-Authors: Rebeca Franke, Arturo P AceroAbstract:Information about sixteen species of fishes of economical value from the Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona (Colombian Pacific) is presented. The reports of the doubtful scorpionfish, Pontinus dubius, the speckled scorpionfish, Pontinus sp., the Pacific fIagfin mojarra, Eucinostomus currani, and the Gorgona barracuda, Sphyraena sp., are remarkable, since they are recorded for the first time from Colombia; data on Colombian specimens of the longfin halfbeak, Hemiramphus saltator, are presented for the first time. The Pacific pikeconger, Cynoponticus coniceps, the fIat needlefish, Ablennes hians, the southero scorpionfish, Pontinus clemensi, the lumptail searobin, and the Pacific porgy, Calamus brachysomus, are new reports from Isla de Gorgona. Biological and fishery data are given about the goldeneye tilefish, Caulolatilus affinis, and the bluestriped chub, Sectator ocyurus; the status in Gorgona of the stone scorpionfish, Scorpaena mystes, the rainbow scorpionfish, Scorpaenodes xyris, the Cortez chub, Kyphosus elegans, the Galapagos barracuda, S. idiastes, and the Indo-Pacific sailfish, [stiophorus albicans, is discussed.
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peces oseos comerciales del parque gorgona pacifico colombiano osteichthyes muraeneso cida e hemiramphidae belonidae scorpaenidae triglidae malacanthidae gerreidae sparidae kyphosidae sphyraenidae e istiophoridae
Revista de Biología Tropical International Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation; Vol. 44 (2 B) August 1996; 763-770, 1996Co-Authors: Rebeca Franke, Arturo P AceroAbstract:Information about sixteen species of fishes of economical value from the Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona (Colombian Pacific) is presented. The reports of the doubtful scorpionfish, Pontinus dubius, the speckled scorpionfish, Pontinus sp. , the Pacific fIagfin mojarra, Eucinostomus currani, and the Gorgona barracuda, Sphyraena sp., are remarkable, since they are recorded for the first time from Colombia; data on Colombian specimens of the longfin halfbeak, Hemiramphus saltator, are presented for the first time. The Pacific pikeconger, Cynoponticus coniceps, the fIat needlefish, Ablennes hians, the southero scorpionfish, Pontinus clemensi, the lumptail searobin, and the Pacific porgy, Calamus brachysomus, are new reports from Isla de Gorgona. Biological and fishery data are given about the goldeneye tilefish, Caulolatilus affinis, and the bluestriped chub, Sectator ocyurus; the status in Gorgona of the stone scorpionfish, Scorpaena mystes, the rainbo w scorpionfish, Scorpaenodes xyris, the Cortez chub, Kyphosus elegans, the Galapagos barracuda, S. idiastes, and the Indo-Pacific sailfish, (stiophorus albicans, is discussed.
Filipe Andrich - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Combined proteomic and functional analysis reveals rich sources of protein diversity in skin mucus and venom from the Scorpaena plumieri fish
Journal of proteomics, 2018Co-Authors: Márcia Helena Borges, Thiago N. Menezes, Filipe Andrich, Pedro H. Lemos, Thiago Geraldo Soares, Fabiana Vasconcelos Campos, Leandro Xavier Neves, William Castro-borges, Suely G. FigueiredoAbstract:Abstract The biological activities observed upon envenomation by Scorpaena plumieri could be linked to both the venom and the skin mucus. Through a proteomic/functional approach we analyzed protein composition and biological activities of the venom and skin mucus. We identified 885 proteins: 722 in the Venomous Apparatus extracts (Sp-VAe) and 391 in the Skin Mucus extract (Sp-SMe), with 494 found exclusively in Sp-VAe, being named S. plumieri Venom Proteins (Sp-VP), while 228 were found in both extracts. The majority of the many proteins identified were not directly related to the biological activities reported here. Nevertheless, some were classified as toxins/potentially interesting molecules: lectins, proteases and protease inhibitors were detected in both extracts, while the pore-forming toxin and hyaluronidase were associated with Sp-VP. Proteolytic and anti-microbial activities were linked to both extracts, while the main toxic activities – cardiovascular, inflammatory, hemolytic and nociceptive – were elicited only by Sp-VAe. Our study provided a clear picture on the composition of the skin mucus and the venom. We also show that the classic effects observed upon envenomation are produced by molecules from the venomous gland. Our results add to the growing catalogue of scorpaeniform fish venoms and their skin mucus proteins. Significance In this study a large number of proteins – including classical and non-classical toxins – were identified in the venomous apparatus and the skin mucus extracts of the Scorpaena plumieri fish through shotgun proteomic approach. It was shown that the toxic effects observed upon envenomation are elicited by molecules originated from the venomous gland. These results add to the growing catalogue of scorpaeniform fish venoms and their skin mucus proteins – so scarcely explored when compared to the venoms and bioactive components of terrestrial animals. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD009983
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identification of c type isolectins in the venom of the scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri
Toxicon, 2015Co-Authors: Filipe Andrich, Gustavo B. Naumann, M Richardson, M N Cordeiro, Agenor Valadares Santos, D Dos M Santos, J S Oliveira, M E De Lima, Suely G. FigueiredoAbstract:Abstract Chemical analyses of the hemagglutinating fraction from Scorpaena plumieri venom revealed that it contains five components (Sp-CL 1-5) with similar chromatographic elution profiles (35–38% of acetonitrile), molecular masses (16,800–17,000 Da) and N-terminal sequences, suggesting that they are isoforms of the same protein. The amino acid sequence of Sp-CL4 was determined and shown to have homology with fish C-type lectins. These data demonstrate for the first time the presence of C-type isolectins in a scorpionfish venom.
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Local inflammatory response induced by scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri venom in mice.
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology, 2012Co-Authors: Thiago N. Menezes, Helena L. Gomes, Mônica Lopes-ferreira, Filipe Andrich, Juliana B.t. Carnielli, Fausto Edmundo Lima Pereira, Elenice Moreira Lemos, Nazaré Souza Bissoli, Suely G. FigueiredoAbstract:The Scorpaena plumieri fish venom induces a severe pain and edema, observed both clinically and experimentally. In order to understand more about the envenomation syndrome, the present study characterized experimentally the local acute inflammatory response induced by S. plumieri venom (SpV) in a mouse model of tissue injury. Our results demonstrated that the local inflammatory response provoked after 2 h of SpV injection in footpad of mice is characterized by release of pivotal pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF, IL-6 and MCP-1). These mediators could be associated with histopathological changes observed into paw tissue, characterized by cellular infiltration, mainly neutrophils. Additionally, an investigation of edema formation pathways involved in inflammatory response was performed. SpV-induced edema was reduced significantly by previous administration of aprotinin or icatibant (HOE-140). However, the pre-treatment with diclofenac sodium and promethazine had less effect on this response. These results demonstrate that the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) plays a major role in the edema formation. Despite the whole venom hydrolyzed the kallikrein synthetic substrate S-2302 (Pro-Phe-Arg-pNA), its main pro-inflammatory fraction was devoid of kininogenase activity. Our results demonstrate that SpV evokes a complex inflammatory reaction stimulating a secretion of TNF, IL-6, MCP-1 and leukocytes recruitment at the site of venom injection. In addition provide clear evidence of the involvement of the KKS in inflammatory response induced by S. plumieri venom.
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a potent vasoactive cytolysin isolated from Scorpaena plumieri scorpionfish venom
Toxicon, 2010Co-Authors: Filipe Andrich, Juliana B.t. Carnielli, M E De Lima, Juliana S Cassoli, Roberto Queiroga Lautner, Robson A S Santos, Adriano Marcal Pimenta, Suely G. FigueiredoAbstract:Abstract A new vasoactive cytolytic toxin, referred to as Sp-CTx, has been purified from the venom of the scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri by a combination of gel filtration and anion exchange chromatographies. An estimation of Sp-CTx native molecular mass, performed by size exclusion chromatography, demonstrated that it is a 121 kDa protein. Further physicochemical studies revealed its glycoproteic nature and dimeric constitution, comprising subunits of approximately 65 kDa (MALDI-TOF-MS). Such protein has proved to possess a potent hemolytic activity on washed rabbit erythrocytes (EC50 0.46 nM), whose effect was strongly reduced after treatment with antivenom raised against stonefish venom – Synanceja trachynis (SFAV). This cross-reactivity has been confirmed by western blotting. Like S. plumieri whole venom (100 μg/mL), Sp-CTx (1–50 nM) caused a biphasic response on phenylephrine pre-contracted rat aortic rings, characterized by an endothelium- and dose-dependent relaxation phase followed by a contractile phase. The vasorelaxant activity has been abolished by l -NAME, demonstrating the involvement of nitric oxide on the response. We report here the first isolation of a cytolytic/vasoactive protein from scorpionfish venom and the data provided suggest structural and functional similarities between Sp-CTx and previously published stonefish hemolytic toxins.
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Cardiovascular effects of scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) venom.
Toxicon, 2009Co-Authors: Helena L. Gomes, Suely G. Figueiredo, Filipe Andrich, Hélder Mauad, Karla N Sampaio, Maria Elena De Lima, Margareth R MoysésAbstract:Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardiovascular activity of Scorpaena plumieri venom in both in vivo and in vitro models. In anesthetized rats, doses of the venom (14–216 μg protein/kg) induced a transient increase in the mean arterial pressure. However at higher dose (338 μg protein/kg) this effect was followed by a sudden hypotension and the animal evolved to death. The heart rate was temporarily increased and followed by bradycardia using doses ≥108 μg/kg. In isolated rat hearts the crude venom (5–80 μg protein) produced dose-dependent positive ventricular chronotropic, inotropic, lusitropic and coronary vasoconstriction responses. Partial purification of an active fraction (CF, cardiovascular fraction) which reproduced the cardiovascular effects induced by crude venom on isolated hearts was achieved by conventional gel filtration chromatography. Adrenergic blockades, prazosin and propranolol, significantly attenuated these responses. The coronary vasoconstriction response to CF was also attenuated by chemical endothelium denudation. In conclusion, the data showed that S. plumieri fish venom induces disorders in the cardiovascular system. It also suggests that α 1 and β-adrenergic receptors, and the vascular endothelium, are involved at least partially, in these cardiac effects.
Josep Alos - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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home range and residency of Scorpaena porcus and Scorpaena scrofa in artificial reefs revealed by fine scale acoustic tracking
Fisheries Research, 2019Co-Authors: Aytac Ozgul, Tansel T Tanrikul, Josep AlosAbstract:Abstract Artificial reefs (ARs) are defined as any structures that are placed on the seafloor to protect sensitive ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support small-scale fisheries or diving tourism. With the recent development of fine-scale acoustic tracking, ecologists and fishery managers have gained a powerful tool to explore how exploited species behave in newly created artificial habitats. Here, we report for the first time the space used by the black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) and red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa), two highly important exploited species in the Mediterranean Sea that are often managed with ARs. The Vemco VR2W positioning system (VPS) was used to examine the fine-scale movement patterns (home range) and residency time of these species. S. porcus (182–271 mm total length; n = 14) and S. scrofa (252–445 mm total length; n = 7) were tracked for up to 91 d in ARs located in Edremit Bay, northern Aegean Sea, Turkey. The results revealed high site fidelity during the tracking period and high variability (among individuals) in their home range areas, which ranged from 933 m2 to 28,674 m2 (Kernel Utilization Distribution 95%) for S. porcus and from 1895 m2 to 17,487 m2 for S. scrofa, with a mean and s.d. of 9591 ± 8998 m2 and 8104 ± 6113 m2, respectively. The variability in the home range areas was explained neither by the fish length nor diel phase (day vs. night), although residency indexes suggested stronger site fidelity in large S. scrofa. While the lack of size-dependent home range behavior could be explained by the limited size of the range (imposed by the telemetry system), the lack of diel differences in their home range sizes could be explained by the ambush predatory behavior of both species. Our findings suggested that ARs may facilitate the profitability of fisheries in both species by retaining adults and enhancing recruitment of newly settled fish, as suggested by the movement patterns and habitat utilization indexes considered in this study.