a b s t r a c t
This communication describes the general biochemical properties and some immunological
characteristics of the venom from the Peruvian scorpion Hadruroides lunatus, which
is the most medically relevant species in Peru. The soluble venom of this scorpion is toxic
to mice, the LD50 determined was 0.1 mg/kg and 21.55 mg/kg when the venom was
injected intracranial or intraperitoneally, respectively. The soluble venom displayed
proteolytic, hyaluronidasic, phospholipasic and cardiotoxic activities. High performance
liquid chromatography of the soluble venom resulted in the separation of 20 fractions. Two
peptides with phospholipasic activity were isolated to homogeneity and their molecular
masses determined by mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF). Anti-H. lunatus venom sera were
produced in rabbits. Western blotting analysis showed that most of the protein content of
this venom is immunogenic. H. lunatus anti-venom displayed consistent cross-reactivity
with venom antigens from the new World-scorpions Tityus serrulatus and Centruroides
sculpturatus venoms; however, a weaker reactivity was observed against the venom
antigens from the old World-scorpion Androctonus australis Hector.