The Biochemical Toxin Arsenal from Ant Venoms

Abstract

Ants (Formicidae) represent a taxonomically diverse group of hymenopterans with over 13,000 extant species, the majority of which inject or spray secretions from a venom gland. The evolutionary success of ants is mostly due to their unique eusociality that has permitted them to develop complex collaborative strategies, partly involving their venom secretions, to defend their nest against predators, microbial pathogens, ant competitors, and to hunt prey. Activities of ant venom include paralytic, cytolytic, haemolytic, allergenic, pro-inflammatory, insecticidal, antimicrobial, and pain-producing pharmacologic activities, while non-toxic functions include roles in chemical communication involving trail and sex pheromones, deterrents, and aggregators. While these diverse activities in ant venoms have until now been largely understudied due to the small venom yield from ants, modern analytical and venomic techniques are beginning to reveal the diversity of toxin structure and function. As such, ant venoms are distinct from other venomous animals, not only rich in linear, dimeric and disulfide-bonded peptides and bioactive proteins, but also other volatile and non-volatile compounds such as alkaloids and hydrocarbons. The present review details the unique structures and pharmacologies of known ant venom proteinaceous and alkaloidal toxins and their potential as a source of novel bioinsecticides and therapeutic agents.

Combined Peptidomic and Proteomic Analysis of Electrically Stimulated and Manually Dissected Venom from the South American Bullet Ant Paraponera clavata

“…Although hundreds of peptides and proteins, in each venom, bear those functions, little work has been undertaken to characterise these components in detail (for recent reviews see 2,7 ).…”

Immunotherapy in Anaphylaxis by Tropical Fire Ant Sting: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…In Mexico in children with allergic diseases, a 6% sensitization to red ants was found [11]. The tropical fire ant (S. geminata) is like the rest of fire ants a highly aggressive species, and its stings can generate severe adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis [12]. The main toxic chemicals are 2-alkyl-6-methylpiperidine alkaloids, δ-lactone and α-pyrone.…”

“…Ant venoms are composed of various biologically active peptides and protein components with each ant species having a variety of major allergenic proteins. Each S. invicta sting transfers 0.04 to 0.11 µL of venom and 10 to 100 ng of proteins (50 ng) [12].…”

Morphology of the mandibular gland of the ant Paraponera clavata (Hymenoptera: Paraponerinae)

“…Some aspects of the biology of P. clavata, such as nesting and feeding habits, are well documented (Breed & Bennett, 1985;Jandt, Larson, Tellez, & McGlynn, 2013;Janzen & Carroll, 1983;Lattke, 2003;Longino & Hanson, 1995;McGee & Eaton, 2013). However, data on the internal morphology are restricted to the venom apparatus (Aili et al, 2017;Hermann et al, 1984;Hermann & Blum, 1966;Piek et al, 1991;Torres, Quinet, Hant, & Martins, 2013;Touchard et al, 2016).…”