• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.386-390
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• 2005

Based on the reported cDNA sequences of $BmK{\alpha}Txs$, the genes encoding toxin $BmK{\alpha}Tx11$ and $BmK{\alpha}Tx15$ were amplified by PCR from the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch genomic DNA employing synthetic oligonucleotides. Sequences analysis of nucleotide showed that an intron about 500 bp length interrupts signal peptide coding regions of $BmK{\alpha}Tx11$ and $BmK{\alpha}Tx15$. Using cDNA sequence of $BmK{\alpha}Tx11$ as probe, southern hybridization of BmK genome total DNA was performed. The result indicates that $BmK{\alpha}Tx11$ is multicopy genes or belongs to multiple gene family with high homology genes. The similarity of $BmK{\alpha}$-toxin gene sequences and southern hybridization revealed the evolution trace of $BmK{\alpha}$-toxins: $BmK{\alpha}$-toxin genes evolve from a common progenitor, and the genes diversity is associated with a process of locus duplication and gene divergence.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 2011

The feeding habits of scorpion fish, Sebastiscus marmoratus, were studied using 324 specimens collected in the coastal waters of Tongyeong, from January to December, 2009. The size of the specimens ranged from 9.8 to 30.1 cm in standard length (SL). S. marmoratusis was a piscivore that consumed mainly teleosts such as Engraulis japonicus, Clupea pallasi and gobid fishes. Of the fish species Engraulis japonicus was the most preferred prey. Its diet also includes shrimps and crabs. Hermit crabs, polychaetes, bivalves and euphausia were minor preys. Smaller individuals (<13 cm SL) fed mainly on shrimps, crabs and fishes. The proportion of shrimps and crabs decreased as body size increased, whereas the consumption of fishes gradually increased. Fishes accounted for almost stomach contents of larger individuals (more than 19 cm SL). Seasonal changes in the S. marmoratusis diet were significant. Fishes was most common prey during summer, autumn and winter, whereas crabs and shrimps were mainly consumed during spring.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.328-335
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• 2006

Imperatoxin A ($IpTx_a$), a 3.7 kDa peptide from the African scorpion Pandinus imperator, is an agonist of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1). In order to study the structure of the toxin and its effect on RyR1, $IpTx_a$ cDNA was PCR-amplified using 3 pairs of primers, and the toxin was expressed in E. coli. The toxin was further purified by chromatography, and various point mutants in which basic amino acids were substituted by alanine were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. Studies of single channel properties by the planar lipid bilayer method showed that the recombinant $IpTx_a$ was identical to the synthetic $IpTx_a$ with respect to high-performance liquid chromatography mobility, amino acid composition and specific effects on RyR1. Mutations of certain basic amino acids ($Lys^{19}$, $Arg^{23}$, and $Arg^{33}$) dramatically reduced the capacity of the peptide to activate RyRs. A subconductance state predominated when $Lys^8$ was substituted with alanine. These results suggest that some basic amino acid residues in $IpTx_a$ are important for activation of RyR1, and that $Lys^8$ plays an important role in regulating the gating mode of RyR1.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2010

Six populations of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, were collected from the different national areas for resistance and reared in laboratory for two sensitive population. These populations of P. xylostella were examined the developed resistance against commercial products of Bacillus thuringiensis. There were 3 products with B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki including Tyuneup$^{(R)}$, Thuricide$^{(R)}$ and Geumulmang$^{(R)}$ and 2 products with B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai including Tobagi$^{(R)}$ and Scorpion$^{(R)}$. The sensitive population of diamondback moths were provided from National Academy of Agricultural Science (NP) and Highland Agriculture Research Center (GR population) and field populations were caught from 6 different national areas. Resistance against Tyuneup$^{(R)}$ was developed 4.8 and 2.5 times in SP and HS compared with GR population of diamondback moth, respectively. In case of Geumulmang$^{(R)}$, it was developed 9.9 and 6.8 times in SP and NM population compared with NP population, respectively. Otherwise, Tobagi$^{(R)}$ was showed higher resistance in HS than any other population compared with GR population, however, Scorpion$^{(R)}$ that is a same strain with Tobagi$^{(R)}$, was showed only double resistance to SP population. It was supposed that the development of resistance to B. thuringiensis might be caused by the continuous application of the specific commercial product at the specific area. So, we need to use the commercial products of B. thuringiensis in rotation with different B. thuringiensis strains. In the other hand, when HS population with highest resistance were reared in laboratory, their resistance ratio was rapidly dropped to 1.1 times at second generation. We have to examined the resistance mechanism of the diamondback moth to B. thuringiensis strains.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.1 s.8
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• pp.181-188
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• 2002

Objective: Through the literatures on the effects of Buthus martensii Karsch, we are finding out the clinical possibility and revealing the more effctive to intractable diseases. Method: We investigated the literatures of Oriental Medicine and experimental reports about Buthus martensii Karsch. Results: 1. The taste of Buthus martensii Karsch is salty, hot and toxic, and the effect of this is tetanus, headache, facial palsy and convulsion. 2. The venom of Buthus martensii Karsch is anaesthetic and toxic protein, composed of buthotoxin, lecithin, trimethylamine, betaine, taurine, cholesterol, stearic acid and palmitic acid and similar to the snake venom. 3. The pharmacological effects ofButhus martensii Karsch are anti-convulsion, depressor, anesthesia, anti-thrombosis and anti-cancer. 4. Symptoms of Buthotoxin poisoning are local pain, vomiting, fever, hypertension and palpitaion, and critical condition to Dyspnea, coma and death.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2006

Bacillus subtilis strain with highly active chitosanase was isolated from the intestine of Sebastiscus marmoratus (scorpion fish). It was named as Bacillus subtilis CH1 by morphological, biochemical and 165 rRNA gene analysis. The optimal conditions for chitosanase production were investigated. The optimum carbon and nitrogen sources for Bacillus stibtilis CH1 were 2% starch and 1% yeast extract respectively. Unlike other chitosanases, the expression of this chitosanase was not induced or slightly induced with chitosan. The chitosanase secreted into the medium were concentrated with ammonium sulfate precipitation and purified by gel permeation chromatography. The molecular weight of purified chitosanase was 30 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature of purified chitosanase were 5.5 and $60^{\circ}C$ respectively. The purified chitosanase was continuously thermostable at $40^{\circ}C$ and showed stable activity between pH 6.0 and 8.0. Chitosanase activity of Bacillus subtilis CH1 under optimum condition was 4.1 units/ml.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.477-481
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• 2000

The cytotoxicity of crude insect drugs was measured using HeLa cells originating from human cervix and uterine cancer. using the dye uptake assay in order to find potential anticancer agents. Three kinds of extracts (buffer, methanol and ethylacetate) were prepared from 26 insects and used as raw materials for the activity assay. Among these, the buffer extracts from Tabanus, Mylabris and Huechys showed a potent anticancer activity, and those from Catharsius, Red ant, Scorpion, Tabanus and Vespae Nidus showed a strong L-amino acid oxidase (AAO) activity as well as cytotoxicity. In contrast, buffer extracts from Gryllotalpa orientalis and Apriona germari larvae showed greater/more rapid Hela cell growth than that of other insects.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.947-954
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• 2012

Sand scorpions are nocturnal animals to mostly use tactile senses to detect their prey. It has been reported that sand scorpions have high vibration sensitivity for their prey-localizing behavior. We tested vibration experiments in the sand with microphone sensors to model the sand scorpion's behavior and a time-difference model was applied to find the direction of a vibration source. Using the information of the arrival time of the vibration signal to reach each leg position, we can find the location of the vibration source.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 1999.06a
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• pp.55-55
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• 1999

Imperatoxin A (IpTx$_{a}$), a 3.7 kDa peptide from the African scorpion Pandinus imperator, has been known as an agonist of skeletal ryanodine receptor (RyR). In order to study the structure and function of the toxins on RyR, the IpTx$_{a}$ cDNA was PCR-amplified using 3 pairs of primers and the toxin was expressed in E. coli expression system.(omitted)ted)

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 1996

The effects of scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus, Lqh) venom were evaluated on the activities of microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ and $Ca^{2+}$ release channel prepared from the epithelial cells of pig airway. Whole venom of Lqh $(120\;{\mu}g/ml)$ increased the activity of microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ about 32% in the tight-sealed microsomes and about 28% in the Triton X-100-treated or $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore A23187-treated leaky microsomes. Thapsigargin, a specific antagonist of $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$, inhibited 42% of total ATPase activity and also completely blocked the effects of Lqh venom, suggesting that Lqh venom directly activiates the microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$. In order to determine if Lqh venom increases the microsomal uptake of $^{45}Ca^{2+}$, Lqh venom was added in the uptake medium. The Lqh venom increased microsomal $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake up to ${\sim}20%$ and the increase was only observed when heparin, an antagonist of $InsP_3$ receptor channel, was added in the uptake medium. Lqh venom in the absence of heparin unexpectedly decreased the rate and the amount of $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake. These results were explained by simultaneous increases in $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ release as well as $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake by Lqh venom. Lqh venom itself increased the release of $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ as much as $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ release by $4\;{\mu}m\;InsP_3$, implying that Lqh venom also activates $InsP_3$ receptor, microsomal $Ca^{2+}$ release channel. Based on these results, we suggest that the Lqh venom consists of at least two components; one activates the $InsP_3$ receptor and the other avates the $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$. Currently we a investigating the chemical and electrophysiological properties of the active components of Lqh venom.