Arthropod defensins illuminate the divergence of scorpion neurotoxins
- 7 July 2004
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Peptide Science
- Vol. 10 (12) , 714-718
- https://doi.org/10.1002/psc.578
Abstract
Defensins are phylogenetically ancient antibacterial polypeptides found in plants and animals. Isolation of the cDNA and genomic sequences encoding the scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus) defensin revealed similarity to scorpion neurotoxins in gene organization (two exons and a phase I intron) and intron characteristics (conserved acceptor, donor and putative branch sites). This commonality, alongside a similar core structure, protein sequence and bioactivity suggest that arthropod defensins and scorpion neurotoxins share a common ancestor. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis of defensins and scorpion neurotoxins illuminates for the first time a putative evolutionary trajectory for scorpion sodium and potassium channel neurotoxins. Copyright © 2004 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Keywords
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