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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Venom gland transcriptomics of the Black Judaicus scorpion (Hottentotta judaicus) reveals its toxin arsenal and potential bioeconomic value
Toxicon, Vol.268, pp.1-10
2025
PMID: 41047085
Abstract
Scorpion venoms are likewise a medical burden as well as a source of novel bioresources. Despite their important dual role, the venoms of most scorpion species remain under- or unstudied. Among these is the venom of the Black Judaicus scorpion, Hottentotta judaicus (Simon, 1872), a common yet neglected species native to the Middle East. Here, we employ venom gland transcriptomics to investigate its toxin-encoding precursor profile to gain insight into its toxin repertoire. The venom was found to be composed primarily of various short scorpion toxins, long scorpion toxins from the 3 C-C as well as the 4 C-C type, and enzymatic components. Minor components include, defensins and putative antimicrobial peptides. Several identified toxins show similarity to known neurotoxins from lethal buthids or to toxins with translational value in biomedicine, agriculture, and industrial production, thus rendering H. judaicus both, a potential health concern but possibly also as source of novel bioresources. Our work provides an extended perspective on the venom profile of this species and represents a basis for future follow-up studies.
Details
- Title
- Venom gland transcriptomics of the Black Judaicus scorpion (Hottentotta judaicus) reveals its toxin arsenal and potential bioeconomic value
- Authors
- Tim Lüddecke (Corresponding Author) - Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied EcologyJosephine Dresler - Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied EcologySabine Hurka - LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity GenomicsYachen Wang - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringTamara Pohler - Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (United States)Yuri Simone - University of AntwerpJonas Krämer - LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity GenomicsAndreas Vilcinskas - Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied EcologyVolker Herzig (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Bioinnovation
- Publication details
- Toxicon, Vol.268, pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108609
- ISSN
- 1879-3150; 0041-0101
- PMID
- 41047085
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- All data provided as supplement or in publicly available databases as disclosed in the manuscript
- Grant note
- This work was supported by generous funding from the Hessian Ministry of Science and Art (HMWK) via the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics granted to AV. YS was supported by a BOF grant (542025) of the Research Council of the University of Antwerp.
- Organisation Unit
- Academic Support Unit; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991168131502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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