Brown Spider (Loxosceles genus) Venom Toxins: Tools for Biological Purposes

Abstract

Venomous animals use their venoms as tools for defense or predation. These venoms are complex mixtures, mainly enriched of proteic toxins or peptides with several, and different, biological activities. In general, spider venom is rich in biologically active molecules that are useful in experimental protocols for pharmacology, biochemistry, cell biology and immunology, as well as putative tools for biotechnology and industries. Spider venoms have recently garnered much attention from several research groups worldwide. Brown spider (Loxosceles genus) venom is enriched in low molecular mass proteins (5–40 kDa). Although their venom is produced in minute volumes (a few microliters), and contain only tens of micrograms of protein, the use of techniques based on molecular biology and proteomic analysis has afforded rational projects in the area and permitted the discovery and identification of a great number of novel toxins. The brown spider phospholipase-D family is undoubtedly the most investigated and characterized, although other important toxins, such as low molecular mass insecticidal peptides, metalloproteases and hyaluronidases have also been identified and featured in literature. The molecular pathways of the action of these toxins have been reported and brought new insights in the field of biotechnology. Herein, we shall see how recent reports describing discoveries in the area of brown spider venom have expanded biotechnological uses of molecules identified in these venoms, with special emphasis on the construction of a cDNA library for venom glands, transcriptome analysis, proteomic projects, recombinant expression of different proteic toxins, and finally structural descriptions based on crystallography of toxins.

Helminthes and insects: maladies or therapies

“…Recently, it has shown that a meprin inhibitor suppresses the formation of atherosclerotic plaques ). The recombinant astacins could also be used as reagents for laboratorial tests to diagnose Loxoscelism, anti-loxosceles serum production, and in the treatment of envenomation (Chaim et al 2011). …”

“…The possible therapeutic use of astacins from L. intermedia is the vascular diseases (acute myocardial infarction, acute ischemic stroke, thrombosed aortic aneurysms, pulmonary embolism, etc.) and as thrombolytic agents (Chaim et al 2011). Meprins, which are members of the astacin family, hydrolyze and inactivate several endogenous vasoactive peptides.…”

“…Furthermore, insect's ingredients have been evaluated experimentally and preliminary reports proved their beneficial properties (Marsh and Williams 2005;Kini 2006). Insectbased products that purify arthropod-derived constituents have been developed recently and will yield further benefits (Chaim et al 2011;Oršolić 2012).…”

Pattern of inflammatory response to Loxosceles intermedia venom in distinct mouse strains: A key element to understand skin lesions and dermonecrosis by poisoning

“…L. intermedia venom is liquid, colorless, crystalline and extremely rich in proteases, alkaline phosphatase, hyaluronidases, phospholipases, metalloproteases among other components (Barbaro et al, 2005;Chaim et al, 2011;da Silveira et al, 2007a;da Silveira et al, 2007b;Tambourgi et al, 2000). The spread of the venom and consequent dermonecrosis observed in humans and rabbits are attributed to hyaluronidase (Futrell, 1992) and phospholipase D (also referred as sphingomyelinase D) activities (Appel et al, 2008;Kalapothakis et al, 2007;Tambourgi et al, 1998).…”

Insecticidal activity of venomous saliva from Rhynocoris fuscipes (Reduviidae) against Spodoptera litura and Helicoverpa armigera by microinjection and oral administration

“…Their biological properties and proteinaceous nature render them useful in biological pest management as previously suggested (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). The venom of poisonous predators has novel peptides that have been isolated from snakes, scorpions, marine cone snails, spider and other animals including predatory insects.…”