Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: BmK AGAP is a multifunction scorpion peptide from the venom of Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK). In this study, BmK AGAP was for the first time expressed in a soluble and active form in Escherichia coli (E. coli). The recombinant protein was then purified by metal chelating affinity chromatography. About 1.6 mg/L purified recombinant BmK AGAP (rBmK AGAP) could be obtained. Then, the antitumor effects of the rBmK AGAP were measured in vitro. MTT assay showed that the rBmK AGAP inhibited the growth of the human hepatoma cell line Hep3B and the human lung carcinoma cell line A549 in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values were 24.3 μmol/L and 26.0 μmol/L, respectively, 24 hr after exposure to rBmK AGAP. Using photomicroscopy, it was found that rBmK AGAP could kill both Hep3B cells and A549 cells. All these results suggested that the rBmK AGAP could be potentially used in the development of anticancer drugs.

Key words: Buthus martensii Karsch, recombinant peptide AGAP, anticancer