[Scorpion toxins and defensins].

Abstract

The scorpion venoms possess many neurotoxic peptides which constitute a group of molecular families with a common architecture and a high degree of polymorphism. This architecture is found also in circulating antimicrobial peptides belonging to the defensins family, which are especially structurally related to the blocking potassium channels neurotoxins. The diversification in functions with a unique architectural scheme is discussed taking in account the biophysiological characteristics of the scorpion order.