Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
PhD student in the Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2
Basic Sciences Department Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran
3
2Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
4
Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran
10.30466/vrf.2026.2082449.5046
Abstract
The epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key molecular process in the development of metastasis in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to purify low molecular weight peptides derived from scorpion venom (PESV) from the venom of Hottentotta zagrosensis and to evaluate their anti metastatic potential in the human breast cancer cell line MCF 7. Scorpion venom was fractionated using FPLC and ultrafiltration. The separated fractions were loaded onto SDS PAGE and stained with silver nitrate. This process identified protein bands with molecular weights below 10 kDa, which were subsequently analyzed by MTT assay and Western blotting. MCF 7 cells were exposed to 10 and 20 µg/mL of PESV, and their effects on the expression of E cadherin, N cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Twist proteins were evaluated by Western blotting. The treatment significantly increased the epithelial marker E cadherin (p<0.001), while simultaneously reducing the mesenchymal markers N cadherin and Vimentin, as well as the transcription factors Snail and Twist (p<0.01 to p<0.0001). These changes in PESV treated groups were dose dependent, and at 20 µg/mL the effect was comparable to that of cisplatin. In conclusion, these findings suggest that PESV, extracted from the venom of H. zagrosensis, effectively suppresses the aggressive phenotype of cancer cells while promoting their reversion to an epithelial state. The preclinical evidence demonstrates that this peptide markedly inhibits metastasis, underscoring its potential as a promising therapeutic candidate for breast cancer.
Keywords
Subjects
