Mass spectrometric characterisation and quantitation of selected low molecular mass compounds from the venom of Haplopelma lividum (Theraphosidae)

Abstract

Arachnid venoms present a diverse and complex matrix for investigation, with their latent potential for innovative drug and pesticide design largely unrealised. The characterisation and quantification of selected low molecular mass compounds isolated from the crude venom of the Cobalt blue tarantula (Haplopelma lividum) were the objectives of this study. Fractionation of the crude venom was performed using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, with compound identification using both electrospray ionisation ion trap mass spectrometry and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Four compounds were identified, and quantification on a percentage dry weight basis was achieved by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry based on the formation of their corresponding product ions. Of these the most abundant component was glutamic acid, present at a level of 0.97%. Histamine and adenosine were detected at 0.14% and 0.10% dry weight, respectively, with the polyamine spermine noted in trace amounts at 0.002%. The limits of detection and quantification were established for each of the identified components. The fragmentation profile for histamine has also been proposed.

Pharmacological Characterization of the Edema Caused by Vitalius dubius (Theraphosidae, Mygalomorphae) Spider Venom in Rats

“…However, as shown in this work, treatment with mepyramine, a histamine H 1 receptor antagonist, had no effect on V. dubius venom-induced edema, indicating no role for this mediator in this response. Although there has been no systematic screening for the presence of histamine in theraphosid venoms, mass spectrometric analysis of venom from Hapopelma lividum indicated only a very low content of histamine (0.14%) in this venom (Moore et al, 2009). In contrast, histamine is involved in P. nigriventer venom-induced edema in rat skin (Palframan et al, 1996) and hind paw (Costa et al, 2000(Costa et al, , 2001 following the activation of mast cells.…”

Small Molecules in the Venom of the Scorpion Hormurus waigiensis

“…Adenosine has been previously identified within the venom of the scorpion Heterometrus laoticus [ 14 , 15 ], and is a known constituent of other arthropod venoms, including those belonging to the spiders Haplopelma lividum and Latrodectus menavodi [ 31 , 52 ], the wasp Cyphononyx dorsalis [ 53 ], and the ant Pseudomyrmex triplarinus [ 54 ]. Inosine was also found to be present within the venom of L. menavodi [ 31 ] and other spider species, including Parawixia bistriata [ 32 ], Cyriopagopus hainanus ( Selenocosmia huwena ) [ 55 ], Loxosceles reclusa [ 56 ], and six more species [ 57 ].…”

“…Aird [ 43 ] found that only a small number of snake venoms contained AMP compared with adenosine, but stated that the presence of purine monophosphates within venoms is unsurprising due to the hypotensive effects they share with free purines. We are unaware of previous reports of AMP, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from scorpion venoms; however, they are present within different tarantula venoms, including those belonging to H. lividum , Lasiodora sp., Aphonopelma sp., and Aphonopelma hentzi ( Dugesiella hentzi and Eurypelma californicum ) [ 30 , 33 , 52 , 66 , 67 ]. Unlike adenosine, which binds to P1 receptors, ADP and ATP bind to P2 receptors [ 68 ], with evidence suggesting that they also have auxiliary roles alongside toxins within venom [ 30 , 66 ].…”

Profiling the peptidome of the venom from the social wasp Agelaia pallipes pallipes

“…The combination of LC systems with the detection capabilities of mass spectrometers is making the determination of venom compositions more comprehensive and accurate [10,13,14]. The use of hyphenated techniques, such as LC-MS, constitutes very powerful analytical strategies for the detection and elucidation of peptide sequences in complexes mixtures [15].…”