The Venom of the Spider Selenocosmia Jiafu Contains Various Neurotoxins Acting on Voltage-Gated Ion Channels in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

Abstract

Selenocosmia jiafu is a medium-sized theraphosid spider and an attractive source of venom, because it can be bred in captivity and it produces large amounts of venom. We performed reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analyses and showed that S. jiafu venom contains hundreds of peptides with a predominant mass of 3000–4500 Da. Patch clamp analyses indicated that the venom could inhibit voltage-gated Na+, K+ and Ca2+ channels in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The venom exhibited inhibitory effects on tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na+ currents and T-type Ca2+ currents, suggesting the presence of antagonists to both channel types and providing a valuable tool for the investigation of these channels and for drug development. Intra-abdominal injection of the venom had severe toxic effects on cockroaches and caused death at higher concentrations. The LD50 was 84.24 μg/g of body weight in the cockroach. However, no visible symptoms or behavioral changes were detected after intraperitoneal injection of the venom into mice even at doses up to 10 mg/kg body weight. Our results provide a basis for further case-by-case investigations of peptide toxins from this venom.

Haplopelma hainanum venom induces inflammatory skin lesions

“…The venom was collected from adult female H. hainanum using an electro-pulse stimulator as described previously (Hu et al, 2014;Yan et al, 2018). Expelled venom was collected from the fang tips with a tube, pooled, and freeze-dried.…”

A survey of the venom of the spider Lycosa vittata by biochemical, pharmacological and transcriptomic analyses

“…The venom solution was analyzed by SDS-PAGE (15% separation gel and 5% stacking gel) using standard protocols to check the MW range and stained with Coomassie blue G-250 (SigmaeAldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) (Hu et al, 2014).…”

“…amnh.org/iz/spiders/catalog/COUNTS.html). Spiders roam the world and have conquered most terrestrial environments (Dos Santos et al, 2009;Hu et al, 2014). One of the major contributors to the evolutionary success of spiders is their ability to produce complex venoms for predation and predator deterrence (King, 2004).…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Purified Toxins from <i>Crossopriza lyoni</i> (Spider) against Certain Bacteria and Fungi

“…Spider venom is concerned to be a potential source of modulators for all of drug targets. These are proved much valuable tool for the investigation of structure and function of channels and for drug development [7]. Molecular templates of spider toxins and using recent technologies spider toxins can be used for production of good therapeutic agents mainly antimicrobials, anticancer agents and bio-insecticides.…”