Establishment of an international collaborative research team for the development of peptide-based biopesticides utilizing unexploited venomous organisms in the Asian and African regions

Project Gist

Discovery of unique insecticidal peptides from venomous animals found in Asian and African Regions

Keywords

venomous animal, bioactive peptide, neurotoxin, scorpion, spider

Background and Purpose

Insecticidal peptides present in the venom of scorpions and spiders are known to act specifically on insects. Due to this characteristic, these peptides are expected to be practically used as biopesticides in the near future. However, the number of venomous animals is limited in Japan. Many venomous animals, including scorpions and spiders, inhabit the Asian and African regions, most of which have not been studied for their venoms. Therefore, venom of these animals can be useful sources of insecticidal peptides. In this study, we investigated the venoms of scorpions and spiders found in Egypt and Vietnam to identify insecticidal peptides that have unique structures and functions.

Project Achievements

In collaboration with researchers in Egypt, we analyzed the venom of scorpions and spiders, and successfully identified two peptides that exhibits insecticidal activity from scorpion venom and a peptide that exhibits both insecticidal and antimicrobial properties from spider venom. In addition, we could obtain a comprehensive picture of the components using mass spectrometry using a very small amount of venom collected from Vietnamese scorpion specimens preserved in alcohol, in collaboration with researchers in Vietnam. Through these studies, we were able to establish a strong collaborative research network to study insecticidal peptides from venomous animals in African and Asian regions, which had not been investigated before.

Future Prospects

I would like to further analyze scorpion and spider venoms from Egypt and Vietnam to identify new insecticidal peptides of various structures. In addition, I would also like to start studies of venomous organisms other than scorpions and spiders to search for insecticidal peptides as well as other bioactive peptides. At the same time, I would like to help my collaborators improve their research environment and establish an efficient collaborative research network.

Figure

Principal Investigator