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Recent Insights in Latrodectus (“Black Widow” Spider) Envenomation: Toxins and Their Mechanisms of Action

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Spider Venoms

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

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Abstract

The Latrodectus genus (Araneae: Theridiidae) includes species commonly named black widow spiders. Due to highly potent neurotoxins present in Latrodectus venom, these spiders have medical interest. Envenomation is called Latrodectism and the symptoms include diaphoresis, hypertension, muscle cramping, weakness, and severe abdominal and/or back pain; however, cases of death are rare. The Latrodectus venom contains a cocktail of neurotoxic proteins collectively named latrotoxins (LTX). α-LTX strongly binds to a specific presynaptic receptor creating ionic pores, thus provoking a massive release of neurotransmitters. It displays no selectivity for specific synapse types and has no effect on non-neuronal cell types. Studies of Latrodectus venom, concerning toxin isolation, are mainly restricted to few species, although some molecular biology approaches reveal new putative latrotoxins in other Theridiidae species. This chapter offers a brief historical review and the current knowledge on Latrodectus venom and toxins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences/IB, University of Brasilia, Brasilia-DF, 70910-900, Brazil

    Osmindo Rodrigues Pires Jr & Mariana S. Castro

  2. Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology/IB, University of Brasilia, Brasilia-DF, 70910-900, Brazil

    Wagner Fontes & Mariana S. Castro

Authors
  1. Osmindo Rodrigues Pires Jr
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  2. Wagner Fontes
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  3. Mariana S. Castro
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Osmindo Rodrigues Pires Jr or Mariana S. Castro .

Editor information

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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Pires, O.R., Fontes, W., Castro, M.S. (2015). Recent Insights in Latrodectus (“Black Widow” Spider) Envenomation: Toxins and Their Mechanisms of Action. 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_23-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6646-4_23-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6646-4

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