Electrophoretical Comparison of Proteins of Mesobuthus eupeus and Mesobuthus gibbosus Scorpion Venoms

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation still remains a major health problem in many tropical and subtropical countries. Antivenom is still widely administered in the treatment of envenomation. Scorpion venoms is used as source of antigen to the production of antivenom. Therefore, quality control and homogeneity of venom are a crucial point. In this study, adult Mesobuthus gibbosus and Mesobuthus eupeus scorpions were collected from Osmaniye and Nigde provinces in Turkey. After extraction, the venom composition was analyzed using one-dimensional gel electrophoresis (1-DE). Only one common protein (70 kDa) band was found in all venom samples. Three protein bands (70, 87 and 100 kDa) were also detected in the venom of female scorpions in Osmaniye and Nigde provinces.