title: Phoneutria nigriventer venom: a cocktail of toxins that affect ion channels.
abstract: 1. We review the pharmacological actions of toxins present in the venom of the aggressive spider Phoneutria nigriventer. 2. This venom is rich in toxins that affect ion channels and neurotransmitter release. Voltage-gated sodium, calcium, and potassium channels have been described as the main targets of these toxins. 3. In addition to these classical actions Phoneutria toxins have also been shown to affect glutamate transporter. 4. It is expected that molecular genetics in addition to biochemical, biophysical and pharmacological approaches will help to further define Phoneutria toxins and their mechanisms of action in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. gomez@icb.ufmg.br
authors.forename: Marcus V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Evanguedes
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kalapothakis
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guatimosim
authors.forename: Marco A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Prado
mesh_terms: D027322:Amino Acid Transport System X-AG / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D027322:Amino Acid Transport System X-AG; D015220:Calcium Channels; D007473:Ion Channels; D009498:Neurotoxins; D015222:Sodium Channels; D013111:Spider Venoms