We have analyzed the transcriptome of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans using RNA sequencing and identified severalantimicrobial peptide candidates. Among the peptides, named scolopendrasins, were selected based on the physicochemicalproperties of antimicrobial peptides via an in silico analysis. As a result, we evaluated the antimicrobial activities ofscolopendrasins against Gram positive and negative bacteria including Candida albicans by radial diffusion assay and colonycount assay. We also investigated the cytotoxicity of scolopendrasins through hemolysis assay. We found that the actionof scolopendrasins involved binding to the surface of microorganisms via a specific interaction with lipopolysaccharides,lipoteichoic acid, and peptidoglycans, which are components of the bacterial membrane. These results will provide a basisfor developing therapeutic agents such as peptide antibiotics.

The purpose of this study was to identify the new fungal disease of Scopendra subspinipes mutilans (Chilopoda: Scolopendridae) from Jeju island in Korea. Scopendra subspinipes mutilans are also known the Chinese red head and average 20cm in length. It is used for traditional medicine for skin-disease and tumor and S. s. mutilans is recently raised in Jeju island to use healing properties. We isolated fungi from surface of infected S. s. mutilans and incubated in SDBA at 24℃ for 14days, and then identified the morphology of the fungi by light and electron microscopy. For the specific diagnosis of Metarhizium spp. in S. s. mutilans, 18srRNA of fungi was amplified by primers ITS4_MF and LR3_MR and sequenced by using the BLAST server at the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The result of the 18srRNA sequencing alignment was Metarhizium anisopliae (99.9%). The entomopathogenic fungi, M. anisopliae would be fatal cause of higher mortality to S. s. mutilans, and it is needed in vivo assay to confirm the pathogenic activities of M. anisopliae to S. s. mutilans.

Previously, we performed de novo RNA sequencing of Scolopendra subpinipes mutilans using high-throughput sequencing technology and identified several AMP candidates. Among them, a synthetic peptide (CP112) was designed based on the physicochemical properties of antimicrobial peptide such as length, charge, isoelectric point. Here, we have assessed the antimicrobial activities of CP112 against various microbes and the antioxidative effects. The results showed that CP112 had antimicrobial activities in radial diffusion assay and colony count assay. In addition, we found that CP112 bound to the surface of microorganisms via a specific interaction with lipoteichoic acid, lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan, which is one of bacteria cell wall components. Furthermore, CP112 has shown significant DPPH radical scavenging activity. Taken together, the results would be provided the basis for developing of peptide antibiotics and antioxidants.

The purpose of this study was performed to determine the whitening effect of organic solvent extracts from the centipede, Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. We prepared different concentrations (50%, 70% and 100%) of ethanol, methanol, 100% ethyl acetate and water extracts. We tested melanin inhibitory effect and tyrosinase activity using B16/F10 melanoma cell. As a result, treatment of organic solvent extracts is decreased the biosynthesis of melanin and tyrosinase activity to 30~60%. Especially the 70% ethanol extracts was the most effective in B16/F10 melanoma cells. In the study on melanogenic protein expression, 70% ethanol extracts of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans blocked glycosylation of tyrosinase. Therefore this result suggests that 70% ethanol extracts could be developed as a skin whitening agents.

Previously, we have performed de novo RNA sequencing of Scolpendra subpinipes mutilans using next generation sequencing technology and identified several AMP candidates. Among them, a synthetic peptide (scolopendrasin I) was designed based on SVM algorithm. In this study, we reported that the synthetic peptide scolopendrasin I had an antimicrobial and anticancer activity. As a result, scolopendrasin I showed antibacterial activities against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria strains in radial diffusion assay and colony count assay without hemolytic activity. In addition, we confirmed that scolopendrasin I bound to the surface of bacteria via a specific interaction with lipoteichoic acid and lipopolysaccharide, which is one of bacteria cell membrane components. In addition, we found that scolopendrasin I had anticancer activities in the human leukemic T lymphocyte cell line Jurkat using MTS assay. In conclusion, our results suggested that scolopendrasin I could be useful for developing peptide antibiotics and anticancer agents.

The centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans has been a medically important arthropod species by using it as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we derived a novel lactoferricin B like peptide (LBLP) from the whole bodies of adult centipedes, S. s. mutilans, and investigated the antifungal effect of LBLP. LBLP exerted an antifungal and fungicidal activity without hemolysis. To investigate the antifungal mechanism of LBLP, a membrane study with propidium iodide was first conducted against Candida albicans. The result showed that LBLP caused fungal membrane permeabilization. The assays of the three dimensional flow cytometric contour plot and membrane potential further showed cell shrinkage and membrane depolarization by the membrane damage. Finally, we confirmed the membrane-active mechanism of LBLP by synthesizing model membranes, calcein and FITC-dextran loaded large unilamellar vesicles. These results showed that the antifungal effect of LBLP on membrane was due to the formation of pores with radii between 0.74 nm and 1.4 nm. In conclusion, this study suggests that LBLP exerts a potent antifungal activity by pore formation in the membrane, eventually leading to fungal cell death.