This family consists of antimicrobial peptides secreted by scorpions. Novel antimicrobial peptides have been isolated from scorpions, namely the opistoporin [1] and the pandinin [2]. These peptides form essentially helical structures and demonstrate high antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria respectively.

1: Antibacterial and antifungal properties of alpha-helical, cationic peptides in the venom of scorpions from southern Africa. Moerman L, Bosteels S, Noppe W, Willems J, Clynen E, Schoofs L, Thevissen K, Tytgat J, Van Eldere J, Van Der Walt J, Verdonck F; Eur J Biochem 2002;269:4799-4810. PMID:12354111

2: Characterization of unique amphipathic antimicrobial peptides from venom of the scorpion Pandinus imperator. Corzo G, Escoubas P, Villegas E, Barnham KJ, He W, Norton RS, Nakajima T; Biochem J 2001;359:35-45. PMID:11563967