Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from <i>Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet</i>

Zhuxuan Lan; Lirong Zhang; Chen Wei; Qin Xiangya; Haiqing Long; Shijin Yin

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19

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Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet

Zhuxuan Lan, Lirong Zhang, Chen Wei, Qin Xiangya, Haiqing Long, Shijin Yin^*

Published in Science Discovery (Volume 13, Issue 6)

Received: 4 November 2025 Accepted: 9 December 2025 Published: 24 December 2025

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Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to produce the defensin peptide SPDef1 (Scorpiops pocoki defensin 1) via the air oxidation method, evaluate its antibacterial activity, and preliminarily investigate its antibacterial mechanism. Methods: SPDef1-O was obtained through the air oxidation method. Molecular weight and structural characterization of the prepared peptides using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SPDef4 was determined using the broth dilution method. The antibacterial mechanism was preliminarily explored using DMAO/PI dual staining in conjunction with confocal microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Results: SPDef1-O prepared via the air oxidation method exhibits significant antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus strain AB94004, MIC as low as 0.25 μM, also exhibits moderate antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (MIC = 4 μM). DMAO/PI dual staining and TEM revealed that SPDef1-O disrupts cell membrane integrity to exert its antibacterial effect. Discussion: The defensin SPDef1 emerges as a novel member of scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptides with notable antibacterial activity. Future investigations should expand its antibacterial spectrum assessment and explore its potential as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent.

Published in	Science Discovery (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19
Page(s)	159-165
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Scorpiops_pococki, Defensin, Antimicrobial Peptide, Antimicrobial Activity

References

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APA Style

Lan, Z., Zhang, L., Wei, C., Xiangya, Q., Long, H., et al. (2025). Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet. Science Discovery, 13(6), 159-165. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19

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ACS Style

Lan, Z.; Zhang, L.; Wei, C.; Xiangya, Q.; Long, H., et al. Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet. Sci. Discov. 2025, 13(6), 159-165. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19

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AMA Style

Lan Z, Zhang L, Wei C, Xiangya Q, Long H, et al. Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet. Sci Discov. 2025;13(6):159-165. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19

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@article{10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19,
  author = {Zhuxuan Lan and Lirong Zhang and Chen Wei and Qin Xiangya and Haiqing Long and Shijin Yin},
  title = {Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet
},
  journal = {Science Discovery},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {159-165},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sd.20251306.19},
  abstract = {Objective: This study was designed to produce the defensin peptide SPDef1 (Scorpiops pocoki defensin 1) via the air oxidation method, evaluate its antibacterial activity, and preliminarily investigate its antibacterial mechanism. Methods: SPDef1-O was obtained through the air oxidation method. Molecular weight and structural characterization of the prepared peptides using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SPDef4 was determined using the broth dilution method. The antibacterial mechanism was preliminarily explored using DMAO/PI dual staining in conjunction with confocal microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Results: SPDef1-O prepared via the air oxidation method exhibits significant antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus strain AB94004, MIC as low as 0.25 μM, also exhibits moderate antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (MIC = 4 μM). DMAO/PI dual staining and TEM revealed that SPDef1-O disrupts cell membrane integrity to exert its antibacterial effect. Discussion: The defensin SPDef1 emerges as a novel member of scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptides with notable antibacterial activity. Future investigations should expand its antibacterial spectrum assessment and explore its potential as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet

AU  - Zhuxuan Lan
AU  - Lirong Zhang
AU  - Chen Wei
AU  - Qin Xiangya
AU  - Haiqing Long
AU  - Shijin Yin
Y1  - 2025/12/24
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19
DO  - 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19
T2  - Science Discovery
JF  - Science Discovery
JO  - Science Discovery
SP  - 159
EP  - 165
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0650
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19
AB  - Objective: This study was designed to produce the defensin peptide SPDef1 (Scorpiops pocoki defensin 1) via the air oxidation method, evaluate its antibacterial activity, and preliminarily investigate its antibacterial mechanism. Methods: SPDef1-O was obtained through the air oxidation method. Molecular weight and structural characterization of the prepared peptides using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SPDef4 was determined using the broth dilution method. The antibacterial mechanism was preliminarily explored using DMAO/PI dual staining in conjunction with confocal microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Results: SPDef1-O prepared via the air oxidation method exhibits significant antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus strain AB94004, MIC as low as 0.25 μM, also exhibits moderate antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (MIC = 4 μM). DMAO/PI dual staining and TEM revealed that SPDef1-O disrupts cell membrane integrity to exert its antibacterial effect. Discussion: The defensin SPDef1 emerges as a novel member of scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptides with notable antibacterial activity. Future investigations should expand its antibacterial spectrum assessment and explore its potential as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent.

VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Zhuxuan Lan

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

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Lirong Zhang

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

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Chen Wei

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

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Qin Xiangya

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

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Haiqing Long

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

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Shijin Yin

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

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APA Style

Lan, Z., Zhang, L., Wei, C., Xiangya, Q., Long, H., et al. (2025). Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet. Science Discovery, 13(6), 159-165. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19

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ACS Style

Lan, Z.; Zhang, L.; Wei, C.; Xiangya, Q.; Long, H., et al. Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet. Sci. Discov. 2025, 13(6), 159-165. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19

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AMA Style

Lan Z, Zhang L, Wei C, Xiangya Q, Long H, et al. Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet. Sci Discov. 2025;13(6):159-165. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19,
  author = {Zhuxuan Lan and Lirong Zhang and Chen Wei and Qin Xiangya and Haiqing Long and Shijin Yin},
  title = {Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet
},
  journal = {Science Discovery},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {159-165},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sd.20251306.19},
  abstract = {Objective: This study was designed to produce the defensin peptide SPDef1 (Scorpiops pocoki defensin 1) via the air oxidation method, evaluate its antibacterial activity, and preliminarily investigate its antibacterial mechanism. Methods: SPDef1-O was obtained through the air oxidation method. Molecular weight and structural characterization of the prepared peptides using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SPDef4 was determined using the broth dilution method. The antibacterial mechanism was preliminarily explored using DMAO/PI dual staining in conjunction with confocal microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Results: SPDef1-O prepared via the air oxidation method exhibits significant antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus strain AB94004, MIC as low as 0.25 μM, also exhibits moderate antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (MIC = 4 μM). DMAO/PI dual staining and TEM revealed that SPDef1-O disrupts cell membrane integrity to exert its antibacterial effect. Discussion: The defensin SPDef1 emerges as a novel member of scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptides with notable antibacterial activity. Future investigations should expand its antibacterial spectrum assessment and explore its potential as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Preparation and Antimicrobial Function Research of a Defensin Polypeptides SPDef1 from Scorpiops_pococki in Tibet

AU  - Zhuxuan Lan
AU  - Lirong Zhang
AU  - Chen Wei
AU  - Qin Xiangya
AU  - Haiqing Long
AU  - Shijin Yin
Y1  - 2025/12/24
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19
DO  - 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19
T2  - Science Discovery
JF  - Science Discovery
JO  - Science Discovery
SP  - 159
EP  - 165
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0650
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.19
AB  - Objective: This study was designed to produce the defensin peptide SPDef1 (Scorpiops pocoki defensin 1) via the air oxidation method, evaluate its antibacterial activity, and preliminarily investigate its antibacterial mechanism. Methods: SPDef1-O was obtained through the air oxidation method. Molecular weight and structural characterization of the prepared peptides using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SPDef4 was determined using the broth dilution method. The antibacterial mechanism was preliminarily explored using DMAO/PI dual staining in conjunction with confocal microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Results: SPDef1-O prepared via the air oxidation method exhibits significant antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus strain AB94004, MIC as low as 0.25 μM, also exhibits moderate antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (MIC = 4 μM). DMAO/PI dual staining and TEM revealed that SPDef1-O disrupts cell membrane integrity to exert its antibacterial effect. Discussion: The defensin SPDef1 emerges as a novel member of scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptides with notable antibacterial activity. Future investigations should expand its antibacterial spectrum assessment and explore its potential as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent.

VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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