Searching of new compounds in Tityus serrulatus venom

Abstract

Besides the fact that the venoms found in scorpions, highlight on Tityus serrulatus (Ts) is one of the main cause of poisoning in Brazil, they also represent a powerful resource of molecules with biotechnological application. These venoms are compounded by insoluble mucus, inorganic ions, nucleotides, amines, natriuretic peptides, inhibitor of calicreine, high molecular mass proteins, lipids, enzymes, free amino acids and, mainly, neurotoxins. Because of all those compounds, Ts venom is able to induce a variety of physiologic changes: respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, skeleton, muscular, intergumentar, endocrine, exocrine, immunologic, cardiovascular and nervosa. Therefore, from those manifestations, the venom's compounds represent an interesting area to the pharmacologic industry, which, based in experimentation and clinical analysis, develops a vast amount of new drugs, such as Captopril, Integrillin, Prialt, Aggrastat and Byetta. Despite this, it is important highlighting that, even though many advances and studies, little is still known about animals venoms, becoming a studies priority the investment on basic researches that allow the search of new compounds. Due this fact, this project will study the still unknown fraction X-6, X-7 and X-8 from de Ts venom, with the main propose of finding and identification of new compounds. In order to achieve these purpose, it will be used chromatography techniques (fast protein liquid chromatography - FPLC), electrophoresis and spectrometry to isolate the new compounds. In addition, using data bank, the new compounds will be evaluated according to the identity of known molecules. The search for new molecules in this venom represents a unique opportunity on understanding the envenoming, on the development of pharmacological tools and on searching novel therapy drugs. Therefore, it is indispensable performing basic science for a future applied science. (AU)