Chemistry and Functions of Imported Fire Ant Venom

Chen, Jian

doi:10.3390/toxins15080489

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 117 publications

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“…Polyamines constitute a prominent class of spider (arachnid) and wasp (hyme-nopteran) venom components. Effectively, with hundreds of components, the complex venoms of hymenopterans (bees, wasps, and ants) and arachnids (spiders and scorpi-ons) are a cocktail of substances that, apart from toxic peptides, enzymes, and venom auxiliary proteins, may contain alkaloids, amino acids, biogenic amines, aliphatic and aromatic (acyl) polyamines [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Figure 2 shows representative examples of biogen-ic monoamines (aromatic and heterocyclic) that could make up the hymenopteran and arachnid venoms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spider and Wasp Acylpolyamines: Venom Components and Versatile Pharmacological Leads, Probes, and Insecticidal Agents

Rádis-Baptista,

Konno

2024

Toxins

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Polyamines (PAs) are polycationic biogenic amines ubiquitously present in all life forms and are involved in molecular signaling and interaction, determining cell fate (e.g., cell proliferation, dif-ferentiation, and apoptosis). The intricate balance in the PAs’ levels in the tissues will determine whether beneficial or detrimental effects will affect homeostasis. It’s crucial to note that endoge-nous polyamines, like spermine and spermidine, play a pivotal role in our understanding of neu-rological disorders as they interact with membrane receptors and ion channels, modulating neuro-transmission. In spiders and wasps, monoamines (histamine, dopamine, serotonin, tryptamine) and polyamines (spermine, spermidine, acyl polyamines) comprise, with peptides and other sub-stances, the low molecular weight fraction of the venom. Acylpolyamines are venom components exclusively from spiders and a species of solitary wasp, which cause inhibition chiefly of iono-tropic glutamate receptors (AMPA, NMDA, and KA iGluRs) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The first venom acylpolyamines ever discovered (argiopines, Joro and Nephila toxins, and philanthotoxins) have provided templates for the design and synthesis of numerous analogs. Thus far, analogs with high potency exert their effect at nanomolar concentrations, with high se-lectivity toward their ionotropic and ligand receptors. These potent and selective acylpolyamine analogs can serve biomedical purposes and pest control management. The structural modification of acylpolyamine with photolabile and fluorescent groups converted these venom toxins into use-ful molecular probes to discriminate iGluRs and nAchRs in cell populations. In various cases, the linear polyamines, like spermine and spermidine, constituting venom acyl polyamine backbones, have served as cargoes to deliver active molecules via a polyamine uptake system on diseased cells for targeted therapy. In this review, we examined examples of biogenic amines that play an essential role in neural homeostasis and cell signaling, contributing to human health and disease outcomes, which can be present in the venom of arachnids and hymenopterans. With an empha-sis on the spider and wasp venom acylpolyamines, we focused on the origin, structure, derivatiza-tion, and biomedical and biotechnological application of these pharmacologically attractive, chemically modular venom components.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spider and Wasp Acylpolyamines: Venom Components and Versatile Pharmacological Leads, Probes, and Insecticidal Agents

Rádis-Baptista,

Konno

2024

Toxins

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Stinging Ant Anaphylaxis: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment

McMurray,

Adams,

Wanandy

et al. 2024

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice

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Therapeutic Potential of Solenopsis invicta Venom: A Scoping Review of Its Bioactive Molecules, Biological Aspects, and Health Applications

Dioguardi,

Cantore,

Sovereto

et al. 2024

Biomolecules

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Solenopsis invicta, a South American ant species from the Formicidae family (subfamily Myrmicinae), has recently established a stable settlement in Europe, raising public health concerns due to its venomous stings. The venom of S. invicta is rich in bioactive molecules, particularly piperidine alkaloids such as solenopsin A and peptides (Sol 1–4). These compounds have been implicated in various health applications, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumour activities. While previous reviews have focused on the ecological and allergenic risks posed by S. invicta, this scoping review aims to evaluate the potential therapeutic uses of S. invicta venom by summarizing existing scientific evidence and providing a novel synthesis of recent research on its bioactive components. Furthermore, this study, by describing the unique biological aspects of S. invicta, provides an overview of its direct impact on public health, highlighting new findings on the venom’s role in inhibiting bacterial biofilm formation and modulating cancer growth pathways through gene regulation. A search of databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library) identified 12,340 articles, from which 11 studies met the eligibility criteria. These studies included seven microbiological investigations and four studies on tumour cell lines and animal models. The findings suggest that S. invicta venom could inhibit biofilm formation, combat fungal infections, and suppress tumour growth. However, further research, including clinical trials, is required to fully elucidate the safety and efficacy of these bioactive molecules in human medicine, for their potential use in drug discovery to counteract several diseases, including cancer.

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Chemistry and Functions of Imported Fire Ant Venom

Cited by 3 publications

References 117 publications

Spider and Wasp Acylpolyamines: Venom Components and Versatile Pharmacological Leads, Probes, and Insecticidal Agents

Spider and Wasp Acylpolyamines: Venom Components and Versatile Pharmacological Leads, Probes, and Insecticidal Agents

Stinging Ant Anaphylaxis: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment

Therapeutic Potential of Solenopsis invicta Venom: A Scoping Review of Its Bioactive Molecules, Biological Aspects, and Health Applications

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