Editing Scorpion (section)

===Potential medical use===

[[File:Chlorotoxin.png|thumb|upright|The [[deathstalker]]'s powerful venom contains the 36-[[amino acid]] peptide [[chlorotoxin]] ([[ribbon diagram]] shown). This blocks small-conductance [[chloride channel]]s, immobilizing its prey.<ref name="Ahmadi Knerr Argemi Bordon p=118"/>]]

Scorpion venom is a mixture of neurotoxins; most of these are [[peptide]]s, chains of [[amino acid]]s.<ref name="Rodríguez 2013">{{cite book |last1=Rodríguez de la Vega |first1=Ricardo C. |last2=Vidal |first2=Nicolas |last3=Possani |first3=Lourival D. |chapter=Scorpion Peptides |editor-first=Abba J. |editor-last=Kastin |title=Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides |publisher=Academic Press |edition=2nd |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-12-385095-9 |pages=423–429 |doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-385095-9.00059-2}}</ref> Many of them interfere with [[membrane channel]]s that [[Sodium channel|transport sodium]], [[Potassium channel|potassium]], [[calcium channel|calcium]], or [[Chloride channel|chloride]] ions. These channels are essential for [[nerve conduction]], [[muscle contraction]] and many other biological processes. Some of these molecules may be useful in medical research and might lead to the development of new disease treatments. Among their potential therapeutic uses are as analgesic, [[anti-cancer]], [[antibacterial]], [[antifungal]], [[antiviral]], [[antiparasitic]], [[bradykinin]]-potentiating, and [[immunosuppressive]] drugs. As of 2020, no scorpion toxin-based drug is for sale, though [[chlorotoxin]] is being trialled for use against [[glioma]], a brain cancer.<ref name="Ahmadi Knerr Argemi Bordon p=118">{{cite journal |last1=Ahmadi |first1=Shirin |last2=Knerr |first2=Julius M. |last3=Argemi |first3=Lídia |last4=Bordon |first4=Karla C. F. |last5=Pucca |first5=Manuela B. |last6=Cerni |first6=Felipe A. |last7=Arantes |first7=Eliane C. |last8=Çalışkan |first8=Figen |last9=Laustsen |first9=Andreas H. |title=Scorpion Venom: Detriments and Benefits |journal=Biomedicines |publisher=MDPI AG |volume=8 |issue=5 |date=12 May 2020 |issn=2227-9059 |doi=10.3390/biomedicines8050118 |pmid=32408604 |pmc=7277529 |page=118|doi-access=free }}</ref>