Neuromuscular blocking action of the Theraphosa blondii spider venom



Document title: Neuromuscular blocking action of the Theraphosa blondii spider venom
Journal: The journal of venomous animals and toxins
Database: PERIÓDICA
System number: 000298763
ISSN: 0104-7930
Authors: 1
2
Institutions: 1Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas, Campinas, Sao Paulo. Brasil
2Instituto Butantan, Laboratorio de Artropodes Peconhentos, Sao Paulo. Brasil
Year:
Volumen: 8
Number: 2
Pages: 316-323
Country: Brasil
Language: Inglés
Document type: Artículo
Approach: Experimental
English abstract In 1919, Houssay and Negrete reported that venoms of Theraphosidae spiders induced neuromuscular blockade. In 1993, a purified toxin from Grammostola spider venom was found to block the P-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC), causing neuromuscular blockade. We studied the mode of action of Theraphosa blondii venom, a large Theraphosidae spider from Northern Brazil, Venezuela, and The Guyanas in mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation. This venom elicited a partially reversible neuromuscular blockade and did not depress directly evoked twitches or alter the membrane potential. Neostigmine produced only a poor antagonistic effect on partially blocked diaphragms. However, completely blocked miniature endplate potentials (m.e.p.ps) were reverted by neostigmine. These results can be explained by the presence of toxins in the venom that interact with the endplate receptor at the acetylcholine sites (curaremimetic toxins) and toxins that inhibit the P-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) (omega -toxins). This study shows that Theraphosidae venoms, especially those of the Theraphosa blondii, are a source of curaremimetic toxins and omega -toxins of possible interest as tools in bioscientific research
Disciplines: Medicina
Keyword: Medicina experimental,
Toxicología,
Veneno de araña,
Bloqueadores neuromusculares,
Theraphosa blondii,
Araneae
Keyword: Medicine,
Experimental medicine,
Toxicology,
Spider venom,
Neuromuscular blockers,
Theraphosa blondii,
Araneae
Full text: Texto completo (Ver HTML)