# The First K+-Channel Blocker Described from Tityus fasciolatus Venom: The Purification, Molecular Cloning, and Functional Characterization of α-KTx4.9 (Tf5)

## TL;DR

Researchers discovered a new potassium channel blocker, Tf5, from the venom of a scorpion native to Brazil, which could aid in developing treatments for channel-related diseases.

## Contribution

The first K+-channel blocker from Tityus fasciolatus venom is identified and characterized.

## Key findings

- Tf5 blocks Kv1.2 and Kv1.3 channels with IC50 values of 15.53 nM and 116.41 nM, respectively.
- Tf5 has a molecular mass of 3983.95 Da and a 37 amino acid mature KTx domain with six Cys residues.
- Tf5 is classified as α-KTx4.9 due to its high sequence identity with toxins from the α-KTx4 subfamily.

## Abstract

Hundreds of toxins, particularly from scorpions of lesser medical significance, remain unknown, especially those from species endemic to specific ecosystems, such as Tityus fasciolatus. Their discovery could contribute to the development of new drugs for channelopathies and other diseases. Tf5 is a new peptide that has been identified from the venom of Tityus fasciolatus, a scorpion species endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado ecosystem. A full-length cDNA sequence of the Tf5 gene was obtained through a previously constructed transcriptomic library, where an ORF (Open Reading Frame) sequence with a length of 180 was found, including the 37 aa mature KTx domain, which has six Cys residues. Tf5 was purified from the crude venom, resulting in a peptide with a molecular mass of 3983.95 Da. Its K+ channel blocker activity was evaluated on Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv1.3, and Kv1.4 subtypes. Of these Kv channels, the peptide demonstrated an ability to block Kv1.2 and Kv1.3 with an IC50 of 15.53 nM and 116.41 nM, respectively. Additionally, Tf5 shares a high degree of sequence identity with toxins from the α-KTx4 subfamily, which led to it being classified as α-KTx4.9. This is the first Kv channel blocker described from the T. fasciolatus scorpion.