Heterologous expression and mutagenesis of recombinant hyaluronidase protein (rVesA2).

Background: Crude venom of the banded tiger wasp contains a variety of enzymes including hyaluronidases, commonly known as spreading factors.

Methods: The cDNA cloning, sequence analysis and structural modelling of venom hyaluronidase (VesA2) were herein described. Moreover, heterologous expression and mutagenesis of rVesA2 were performed.

Cloning, structural modelling and characterization of VesT2s, a wasp venom hyaluronidase (HAase) from .

Background: Wasp venom is a complex mixture containing proteins, enzymes and small molecules, including some of the most dangerous allergens. The greater banded wasp () is well-known for its lethal venom, whose one of the major components is a hyaluronidase (HAase). It is believed that the high protein proportion and activity of this enzyme is responsible for the venom potency.

Comparative proteomic analysis of two wasps venom, Vespa tropica and Vespa affinis.

Vespid venom is composed of many bioactive compounds. The venom of the banded tiger wasp (Vespa affinis, or VA) and the great banded wasp (Vespa tropica, or VT)-which are locally found in the northeastern part of Thailand and are well known for their life-threatening venom potency-were comparatively studied in terms of potency, composition and biological activity. Clinical studies that included word-of-mouth information shared by traditional healers in local areas noted that the venom of VT is more potent than that of VA.

Bacterial overexpression of recombinant heteroscorpine-1 (rHS-1), a toxin from Heterometrus laoticus scorpion venom: trends for antibacterial application and antivenom production.

Heteroscorpine-1 (HS-1) was identified as a member of the scorpine family. HS-1 shows insecticidal activities, exhibiting a low median lethal dose (LD50) in mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) and inhibitory activities against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Purification and structural characterisation of phospholipase A1 (Vespapase, Ves a 1) from Thai banded tiger wasp (Vespa affinis) venom.

The Thai banded tiger wasp (Vespa affinis) is one of the most dangerous vespid species in Southeast Asia, and stinging accidents involving this species still cause fatalities. In the present study, four forms of V. affinis phospholipase A(1) were identified through a proteomics approach.

Heteromtoxin (HmTx), a novel heterodimeric phospholipase A(2) from Heterometrus laoticus scorpion venom.

Heteromtoxin (HmTx) is a group III phospholipase A(2) produced in Heterometrus laoticus, in Thailand. In this study, HmTx was purified from venom by separation chromatography, and the PLA(2) activity of the fractions was determined by lecithin agar assay. The enzyme is an acidic protein with a pI of 5.

Purification and characterization of Heteroscorpine-1 (HS-1) toxin from Heterometrus laoticus scorpion venom.

Crude venom from Thai giant scorpion, Heterometrus laoticus, most commonly found in the northeastern area of Thailand, was evaluated for PD50 (paralytic dose 50) activities from abdominal injection to cricket (Gryllus sp.) and activities against various kinds of microorganisms. It exhibited good results in disc diffusion assay for Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Screening of plants acting against Heterometrus laoticus scorpion venom activity on fibroblast cell lysis.

The aqueous extracts of 64 plant species, listed as animal- or insect-bite antidotes in old Thai drug recipes were screened for their activity against fibroblast cell lysis after Heterometrus laoticus scorpion venom treatment. The venom was preincubated with plant extract for 30 min and furthered treated to confluent fibroblast cells for 30 min. More than 40% efficiency (test/control) was obtained from cell treatment with venom preincubated with extracts of Andrographis paniculata Nees (Acanthaceae), Barringtonia acutangula (L.