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Cloning, expression, and pharmacological activity of BmK AS, an active peptide from scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch

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Abstract

BmK AS is a β long-chain scorpion peptide from the venom of Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK). It was efficiently expressed as a soluble and functional peptide in Escherichia coli, and purified by metal chelating chromatography. About 4.2 mg/l purified recombinant BmK AS could be obtained. The recombinant BmK AS maintained a similar analgesic activity to the natural one in both the mouse-twisting test and hot-plate procedure. It also exhibited antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. BmK AS is the first long-chain scorpion peptide reported to have antimicrobial activity, and is a valuable molecular scaffold for pharmacological research.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks are due to Liaoning Education Department: education technology investigation supporting project (2004D222).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110016, P. R. China

    Jian-Hua Shao, Yue-Qiu Wang, Xiao-Yan Wu, Rui Jiang, Rong Zhang, Chun-Fu Wu & Jing-Hai Zhang

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  1. Jian-Hua Shao
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  2. Yue-Qiu Wang
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  3. Xiao-Yan Wu
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  7. Jing-Hai Zhang
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Correspondence to Jing-Hai Zhang.

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Shao, JH., Wang, YQ., Wu, XY. et al. Cloning, expression, and pharmacological activity of BmK AS, an active peptide from scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch. Biotechnol Lett 30, 23–29 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-007-9499-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-007-9499-y

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