Abstract

The common lionfish, Pterois miles (Scorpaenidae), is one of the most abundant and venomous fishes that inhabit the Egyptian Red Sea. This research for the first time identifies the venom protein of Pterois miles and shedds light on its toxic capabilities. Different biochemical techniques were used to investigate the identity of the venom protein including: SDS-PAGE, Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and Mass Spectrometry. Crude protein homogenates were compared between the venomous dorsal spines and the non-venomous caudal fin (tail). Anti-cancer efficacy of the isolated venom protein was also investigated using cell culture of the HepG2 cancer cell lines, coupled to in vitro MTT cytotoxicity assays. A 75 kDa protein band, present only in the venomous spine crude homogenate, and absent in the tail, revealed strong molecular weight similarity to the venom protein of the sister lionfish species, Pterois volitans. The crude venomous spine homogenate also showed an anti-cancer effect on the HepG2 cell lines at very low concentrations, which was absent in the tail crude homogenate. Furthermore, upon SEC fractionation only those fractions containing the purported venom protein band demonstrated cytotoxic effects on HepG2 cancer cell lines. These findings suggest further investigations into the anti-cancer efficacy of the venom protein of Pterois miles has great potential for biotechnological advances in tumor research.

Department

Biotechnology Program

Degree Name

MS in Biotechnology

Graduation Date

Fall 1-27-2013

Submission Date

1-27-2013

First Advisor

Grubich, Justin R.

Committee Member 1

Siam, Rania

Committee Member 2

Abou-Aisha, Khaled

Extent

53 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Library of Congress Subject Heading 1

Marine toxins -- Red Sea -- Identification.

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy. The author has granted the American University in Cairo or its agents a non-exclusive license to archive this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study, and to make it accessible, in whole or in part, in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Not necessary for this item

Comments

Al Alfi foundation, AUC research Grant, biology professors, my advisor, family and friends.

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Available for download on Tuesday, February 02, 9999

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