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Studying the Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurotransmissions with Spider Venoms

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Spider Venoms

Part of the book series: Toxinology ((TOXI))

Abstract

Spider venoms are a complex cocktail containing hundreds of biologically active compounds resulting in a potent weapon to subdue their prey and for predator deterrence. Some spider toxins are valuable instruments for studying the physiological, pharmacological, and molecular mechanisms of nervous system of invertebrates and vertebrates. Neuroactive compounds from spider venoms have become valuable as therapeutic tools due to their extremely high specificity and potency for interaction with ion channels, receptors for neurotransmitters, and/or transporters of neurotransmitters. The study of these molecules allowed the identification and characterization of new receptors and ionic channels and also established the three-dimensional structure of receptors. It has been used in the development of new bioinsecticides as well as for drugs and therapeutic methods for the disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurobiology and Venoms Laboratory, Biology Department, College of Philosophy, Sciences and Literature, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    José Luiz Liberato & Wagner Ferreira dos Santos

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  1. José Luiz Liberato
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  2. Wagner Ferreira dos Santos
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Correspondence to José Luiz Liberato .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    P. Gopalakrishnakone

  2. Department of Molecular Medicine and Bio, National Autonomous University of Mexico The Biotechnology Institute, Cuernavaca, Mexico

    Gerardo A. Corzo

  3. Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacolog, University of Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium

    Elia Diego-Garcia

  4. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Maria Elena de Lima

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Liberato, J.L., dos Santos, W.F. (2015). Studying the Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurotransmissions with Spider Venoms. In: Gopalakrishnakone, P., Corzo, G., Diego-Garcia, E., de Lima, M. (eds) Spider Venoms. Toxinology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6646-4_10-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6646-4_10-1

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