Novel Blocker of Onco SK3 Channels Derived from Scorpion Toxin Tamapin and Active against Migration of Cancer Cells

Peptide-based therapy
against cancer is a field of great interest
for biomedical developments. Since it was shown that SK3 channels
promote cancer cell migration and metastatic development, we started
using these channels as targets for the development of antimetastatic
drugs. Particularly, tamapin (a peptide found in the venom of the
scorpion Mesobuthus tamulus) is the most specific
toxin against the SK2 channel currently known. Considering this fact,
we designed diverse tamapin mutants based on three different hypotheses
to discover a new potent molecule to block SK3 channels. We performed in vitro studies to evaluate this new toxin derivative inhibitor
of cancer cell migration. Our results can be used to generate a new
tamapin-based therapy against cancer cells that express SK3 channels.