StCT2, a new antibacterial peptide characterized from the venom of the scorpion Scorpiops tibetanus

► StCT2, a new antimicrobial peptide, was characterized from the venomous gland cDNA library of the Scorpiops tibetanus. ► The MICs of StCT2 for Staphylococcus aureus were 6.25-25 μg/ml, including antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin resistant S. aureus. ► StCT2 was found to show high in vivo antimicrobial activity by an S. aureus infection mouse model. ► StCT2 exerted its antimicrobial activity via a rapid bactericidal mechanism.