Citation

Rash LD, Hodgson WC. Toxicon 2002; 40(3): 225-254.

Affiliation

Monash Venom Group, Department of Pharmacology, PO Box 13E, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11711120

Abstract

Spider venoms represent an incredible source of biologically active substances which selectively target a variety of vital physiological functions in both insects and mammals. Many toxins isolated from spider venoms have been invaluable in helping to determine the role and diversity of neuronal ion channels and the process of exocytosis. In addition, there is enormous potential for the use of insect specific toxins from animal sources in agriculture. For these reasons, the past 15-20 years has seen a dramatic increase in studies on the venoms of many animals, particularly scorpions and spiders. This review covers the pharmacological and biochemical activities of spider venoms and the nature of the active components. In particular, it focuses on the wide variety of ion channel toxins, novel non-neurotoxic peptide toxins, enzymes and low molecular weight compounds that have been isolated. It also discusses the intraspecific sex differences in given species of spiders.

Language: en