Abstract

MOLECULAR WEIGHT AND POTENCY OF VENOM PRODUCED BY SCORPION SPECIES (ANDROCTONUS AUSTRALLIUS AND HETEROMETERUS INDUS)

Nuzhat Sial*, Mirza Imran Shahzad, Saima Hashim, Sobia Malik, Abul Hasant, Khusnood Haider

ABSTRACT

The research was conducted to study the molecular weight and potency composition of venom produced by two scorpion specie (Androctonus australlius and Hetrometrus indus) during April – October, 2013. The venom was obtained from two scorpion species Androctonus-australlius and Hetrometrus indus and were mixed with PBS (Phosphate buffer solution).After vortex and centrifuge (14,000 rpm for 20 minutes). The supernatant was kept frozen until use. By the SDS-PAGE analysis of these two species, it was found that band numbers 10, 26, 30, 40, 42, 55 and 200 kDa were found in Androctonus australlius only. Band numbers 14, 15, 25, 60, 90, 95, 100 and 130 kDa were found in Hetrometrus indus only.While, both species venom have following bands in common 35, 45, 70, 85, 110, 120, 140 and 150 kDa. Hence it has been found that Hetrometrus indus has more number of protein and more bands with low molecular weight than Androctnus australlius. The results revealed that 2mg/kg venom was LD50 of Androctonus australlius while 2mg/kg venom of Hetrometrus indus was not.

Keywords: Scorpion, venom, molecular weight, LD50.