This document discusses scorpion venom and its components. It begins with figures showing the area of the Sahara Desert and a computer model of scorpion venom, noting that scorpion venom is 83 times more powerful than king cobra venom. It then focuses on Chlorotoxin (CLTX), a component of deathstalker scorpion venom that paralyzes nerve cells. Examples are given showing different doses of CLTX and their effects. Potential therapeutic uses of CLTX are mentioned, including using it along with a fluorescent dye as a "tumor paint" to help surgeons locate cancerous tumors. The document concludes with figures illustrating how scorpion venom works to block ion channels and cause paralysis.

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6. Fig. Area of Sahara Desert
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8. Fig. A computer model of scorpion venom.
The venom is 83 times as powerful as a king cobra's!
(L/D50=0.1-0.01 mg kg-1 body wt.)
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9. Fig. Structure of CLTX
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10. Example of how long the paralysis of CLTX will be working
0.5 mg kg-1 body wt.
Recover after 2 hours.
1.23-2.23 mg kg-1 body wt.
Within 90 sec. : paralysis can be
observed gradually.
After 6 hours : no recovery was noted.
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11. Therapeutic use
Example
Tumor paint
CLTX + Cy5.5
Fig. Example of the tumor paint.
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12. A 37-amino acid peptide.
 Blocks calcium-activated potassium channels.
→ Causes hyperexcitability of the nervous system.
 Close homoloque of agitoxin.
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Fig. Structure of CTX.
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Blocks of small-conductance Ca2+ activated K+ channels.
Induces spoutaneous contractions in guinea pig taenia
coli muscle cells.
Fig. Structure of agitoxin.
• A 38-amino acids.
• Three types of agitoxin can be distinguished
• Highly homologious, differing only in
the identify of the residues at positions 7, 15, 29 and 31.
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14. Outside cell
Ions
Channel
Muscle cells
Inside cell
Fig. How a nerve works in our body.
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15. Venom (CLTX)
Outside cell
Ions
Channel
Inside cell
Fig. How venom works in our body.
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16. Fig. Gram-negative bacteria
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17. Can bacteria be associated to the deathstalker’s venom?
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21. Scorpion has the cuticle in its
outer layer of skin.
The Cuticle will react to black
light and will be illuminated in
the green colour.
Fig. Illuminated scorpion under black light.
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25. Deathstalker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathstalker
Scorpion Venom
http://askabiologist.asu.edu/venom/scorpion_venom
Chlorotoxin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorotoxin
Why Painting Tumors Could Make Brain Surgeons Better
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/09/12/221060071/why-paintingtumors-could-make-brain-surgeons-better
Poison (Japanese)
http://www.geocities.jp/scubadive21/sub/mame/poison.htm
Scorpion Poison –Point of View from Neurotoxin- (Japanese)
http://ameblo.jp/plus-science/entry-11635039977.html
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