title: Characterization of Three Venom Peptides from the Spitting Spider Scytodes thoracica.
abstract: We present the solution-state NMR structures and preliminary functional characterizations of three venom peptides identified from the spitting spider Scytodes thoracica. Despite little sequence identity to other venom peptides, structural characterization reveals that these peptides contain an inhibitor cystine knot motif common to many venom peptides. These are the first structures for any peptide or protein from spiders of the Scytodidae family. Many venom peptides target neuronal ion channels or receptors. However, we have not been able to determine the target of these Scytodes peptides so we can only state with certainty the channels and receptors that they do not target.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR, 97219, United States of America.
authors.forename: Nathanial K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Ariki
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR, 97219, United States of America.
authors.forename: Lisa E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR, 97219, United States of America.
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Armitage
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR, 97219, United States of America.
authors.forename: Francesca R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Goodstein
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR, 97219, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kathryn G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR, 97219, United States of America.
authors.forename: Vanessa L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vetter
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Herzig
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Glenn F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR, 97219, United States of America.
authors.forename: Nikolaus M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Loening
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D047168:Cystine Knot Motifs; D006135:Gryllidae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013112:Spiders / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001468:Thoracica / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013111:Spider Venoms