Biotechnological applications of brown spider (Loxosceles genus) venom toxins.
Loxoscelism (the term used to define accidents by the bite of brown spiders) has been reported worldwide. Clinical manifestations following brown spider bites are frequently associated with skin degeneration, a massive inflammatory response at the injured region, intravascular hemolysis, platelet aggregation causing thrombocytopenia and renal disturbances. The mechanisms by which the venom exerts its noxious effects are currently under investigation. The whole venom is a complex mixture of toxins enriched with low molecular mass proteins in the range of 5-40 kDa. Toxins including alkaline phosphatase, hyaluronidase, metalloproteases (astacin-like proteases), low molecular mass (5.6-7.9 kDa) insecticidal peptides and phospholipases-D (dermonecrotic toxins) have been identified in the venom. The purpose of the present review is to describe biotechnological applications of whole venom or some toxins, with especial emphasis upon molecular biology findings obtained in the last years.
Senff-Ribeiro
Andrea
A
Department of Cell Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Henrique da Silva
Paulo
P
Chaim
Olga Meiri
OM
Gremski
Luiza Helena
LH
Paludo
Kátia Sabrina
KS
Bertoni da Silveira
Rafael
R
Gremski
Waldemiro
W
Mangili
Oldemir Carlos
OC
Veiga
Silvio Sanches
SS
D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D001098:Spider Bites / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D013112:Spiders / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013111:Spider Venoms; C055161:loxosceles venom; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases