RK1, the first very short peptide from Buthus occitanus tunetanus inhibits tumor cell migration, proliferation and angiogenesis.

Abstract

Scorpion toxins have been the subject of many studies which explore their pharmacological potential toward diverse molecular targets, known to monitor key mechanisms in cancer such as proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. The few peptides from scorpion venom that have an anti-tumor effect are generally cytotoxic. Herein, we present the first description of a short 14 amino acid peptide (called RK1), purified from the venom of Buthus occitanus tunetanus, with the particular capabilities, among different other scorpion peptides, to inhibit cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of U87 (Glioblastoma) and IGR39 (Melanoma). Moreover, RK1 is a first peptide derived from scorpion venom exhibiting a potential anti-tumoral activity with no manifest toxicity. Our results suggest that, in terms of its primary structure, RK1 is unique compared to a variety of known peptides purified from scorpion venoms. In addition, RK1 is the first natural peptide able to abolish completely the proliferation of cancer cells. The Chicken chorioallantoic membrane model revealed that RK1 strongly inhibits ex-vivo vascular growth. RK1 could open new perspective for the pharmaceutical application of short scorpion venom peptides in anticancer activity and may represent the first member of a new group of scorpion peptides.

• Authors: Oussema Khamessi, Hazem Ben Mabrouk, Rym ElFessi-Magouri, Riadh Kharrat
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 499 Issue 1 Pg. 1-7 (04 30 2018) ISSN: 1090-2104 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 29366787 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Peptides
• Scorpion Venoms

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Movement (drug effects)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Chick Embryo
• Chorioallantoic Membrane (blood supply, drug effects)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Humans
• Melanocytes (drug effects, pathology)
• Neovascularization, Physiologic (drug effects)
• Neuroglia (drug effects, pathology)
• Peptides (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Scorpion Venoms (chemistry)
• Scorpions