Antarease-like Zn-metalloproteases are ubiquitous in the venom of different scorpion genera.

Background: The venoms of several scorpion species have long been associated with pancreatitis in animal models and humans. Antarease, a Zn-metalloprotease from Tityus serrulatus, is able to penetrate intact pancreatic tissue and disrupts the normal vesicular traffic necessary for secretion, so it could play a relevant role in the onset of acute pancreatitis.

Methods: The cDNA libraries from five different scorpion species were screened for antarease homologs with specific primers.