The chemistry of phyletic dominance.

Abstract

Studies of arthropod defensive chemistry continue to bring to light novel structures and unanticipated biosynthetic capabilities. Insect alkaloids, such as the heptacyclic acetogenin chilocorine and the azamacrolides, exemplify both of these aspects of arthropod chemistry. Spider venoms are proving to be rich sources of neuroactive components of potential medical interest. The venom of a fishing spider, Dolomedes okefinokensis, has yielded a polyamine which reversibly blocks L-and R-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels. Most recently, we have characterized, from the funnel-web spider Hololena curta, a sulfated nucleoside glycoside which serves as a reversible blocker of glutamatesensitive calcium channels. The ability to synthesize or acquire an extremely diverse array of compounds for defense, offense, and communication appears to have contributed significantly to the dominant position that insects and other arthropods have attained.

Structure Determination of a Tetrahydro-?-carboline of Arthropod Origin: A Novel Alkaloid-Toxin Subclass from the Web of SpiderNephila clavipes

“…± Studies of arthropod defensive chemistries continue to bring to light novel structures and unanticipated biosynthetic capabilities [1]. In the last decade, insecticide toxins from arthropod venoms have been the subjects of considerable emphasis [2].…”

“…Toxicity assays demonstrated a potent lethal effect of the alkaloid toxin to the spider preys; topical applications of the tetrahydro-b-carboline at first caused clear signs of neurotoxicity, followed by the death of preys. The structure of the major component, a tetrahydro-b-carboline, among the alkaloid toxins was elucidated by means of UV spectrophotometry, ESI mass spectrometry, 1 H-NMR spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The structure of the natural toxin was determined as 1-(2-guanidinoethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-hydroxymethyl)-bcarboline; the investigation of the pharmacological properties and neurotoxic actions of this compound may be used in the future as reference for the development of new drugs to be applied at level of pest control in agriculture.…”

Efeitos biológicos da peçonha da aranha Parawixia bistriata em ratos: isolamento e caracterização química parcial de uma neurotoxina pró-convulsivante

“…Em meados da década de 90, Meinwald & Eisner (1995) bloqueia os receptores glutamatérgicos tipo RCAINATO. O mesmo grupo citou também que este composto seria eficaz na proteção contra a morte neuronial durante a isquemia (McCormic et al, 1999;Meinwald apud Friedlander, 1999).…”

“…B: Acilpoliamina isolada da aranha Argiope lobata e denominada argiotoxina 636 (ArgTx-636, 636 Da) (Bateman et al,, 1985). C: Nucleosídeo sulfatado HF-7 (631 Da) (Meinwald & Eisner, 1995).…”

Engineering insect-resistant plants by transgenic expression of an insecticidal spider-venom peptide

“…Hymenopterans (including bees, wasps, and ants) are a highly prevalent and widespread group of insects that evolved more than 300 million years ago (Meinwald and Eisner, 1995). These insects are classified in two groups based on their life history: social and solitary.…”