Oral Presentation: 15 minutes 11th Asia-Pacific Congress of the International Society on Toxinology 2021

Investigations into the drivers of venom variation and characterisation of novel venom components from Australian scorpions (#46)

Edward Evans 1 , David Wilson 1 , Norelle Daly 1 , Tobin Northfield 2
  1. Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Cairns
  2. Department of Entomology, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA, USA

Scorpion venoms have evolved as complex mixtures containing peptides, proteins, and small molecules, that are injected into both prey and potential predators. Although there has been significant work investigating scorpion venoms on a molecular level, studies have predominantly focussed on peptides, and more specifically those belonging to medically significant species (in family Buthidae). This has left some knowledge gaps in understanding the diversity and function of scorpion venoms in a wider context, such as investigating the toxin diversity belonging to members of non-buthid families, and understanding the processes that drive differences in venom compositions on large and small scales. Scorpion venom compositions vary not only between species, but also within each species, and other recent work has shown that ecological pressures can even influence individual scorpion venom compositions on short timescales. Differences in venom composition can have knock on effects when dealing with sting victims, and gaining a greater understanding of how venom compositions can vary and change under different conditions can have wide-ranging applications in research and industry. This research combines liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to better understand how the molecular arsenals of Australian scorpions differ, and how ecological factors can influence venom composition.