Table 1.
Main toxins identified in the venom of true black widow spiders by Haney et al. [24].
| Latrodectus Toxins | Abbreviation | Function/Activity |
|---|---|---|
| α-latrotoxin | α-LTX | Toxic to vertebrates, forms calcium channels on pre-synaptic neurons, triggers neurotransmitter release. |
| α- latrocrustotoxin | α-LCT | Toxic to crustaceans, forms calcium channels on pre-synaptic neurons, triggers neurotransmitter release. |
| α,d-latroinsectotoxin | α-LIT / d-LIT | Toxic to insects, forms calcium channels on pre-synaptic neurons, triggers neurotransmitter release. |
| Latrodectin | α-LTX LMWPs | Enhances potency of latrotoxins |
| Cystein Rich Secretory Protein | CRISPs | Block Calcium channels |
| Metalloprotease | MPs | Tissue lysis, facilitates spread of latrotoxins |
| Serine protease | SPs | Tissue lysis, facilitates spread of latrotoxins |
| Hyaluronidase | -- | Tissue lysis, facilitates spread of latrotoxins |
| Chitinase | -- | Degrades arthropod exoskeletons |
| Inhibitor cystine knot | ICK | Alters ion channel function |