LaIT6: A Novel Insect-Selective K⁺-Channel Toxin from <i>Liocheles australasiae</i> Scorpion Venom.

ABSTRACT: Scorpion venom contains various insecticidal peptides. Previously, through transcriptome analysis of the venom gland of Liocheles australasiae, we identified precursor sequences of several peptides that share sequences similar to those acting on K⁺ channels. In this study, we chemically synthesized five of the peptides which were found in the venom and evaluated their insecticidal activity against crickets. This revealed that one of the peptides, named LaIT6, exhibited significant insecticidal activity without mammalian toxicity. To identify amino acid residues important for the insecticidal activity of LaIT6, nine analogs were synthesized mainly by substituting acidic, basic, and aromatic residues with alanine. This revealed that two basic residues and an aromatic residu

SUBMITTER: Kumagai K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12542817 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature