Mass fingerprinting of toxic fractions from the venom of the Indian red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus: biotope-specific variation in the expression of venom peptides

The red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus, is found in two distinct biotopes within the Indian state of Maharastra—a tropical, sea‐level biotope and a semi‐arid biotope, up to 600 m. Scorpions from these two geographical areas show marked differences in toxicity. Using mass spectrometry, we have shown biotope‐specific variation in the expression of peptides from scorpions collected from these two distinct areas. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS) and reversed‐phase liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS) were assessed as techniques for obtaining mass fingerprint data. On line LC/ESI‐MS was judged to be the method of choice and unique biotope‐specific mass fingerprints, with key diagnostic markers, were obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.