The main products of the low molecular mass fraction in the venom of the spider Latrodectus menavodi

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 ]. Purine nucleosides such as adenosine and inosine are common constituents of elapid and viperine snake venoms and are thought to play important accessory roles in helping snakes envenomate and incapacitate their prey [ 8 , 10 , 43 , 58 ].…”

“…Spiders are one of the most closely related groups of venomous organisms to scorpions, and are also one of the most widely studied groups of venomous animals. Different spider species possess a large range of small molecules within their venom, including acylpolyamines and polyamines [ 11 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]; alkaloids [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]; nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogues [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]; and free-amino acids [ 33 , 36 ], alongside other molecules that have been subject to less intensive study [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Given that scorpions use their venom against similar predators and prey to spiders, the small molecules they possess may be similar to those found in spiders.…”

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

“…In 2000 Rash and co‐workers22 noted that venom from female L. cylindrata promoted activity at the adenosine receptors of guinea‐pig stimulated ileum and concluded that adenosine is either a venom constituent or is responsible for endogenous adenosine being produced. The first reported occurrence of adenosine in the Latrodectus species was confirmed by Horni et al .,26 along with guanosine, inosine and 2,4,6‐trihydroxypurine. Detection of adenosine at a level of 0.10% dry weight within the venom of the Cobalt blue tarantula is therefore not without significance.…”

Spiders (Order: Araneae)

“…Although Latrodectus venom contains low -molecular -weight purine derivatives and at least seven protein fractions (e.g., hyaluronidase, phosphodiesterase, GABA, and 5 -hydroxytryptamine), 12 examination of the venom of European widow spider ( L. tredecimguttatus ) indicates that the major toxin is a high -molecular -weight (i.e., 120,000 Da), presynaptic neurotoxin called α -latrotoxin. Although Latrodectus venom contains low -molecular -weight purine derivatives and at least seven protein fractions (e.g., hyaluronidase, phosphodiesterase, GABA, and 5 -hydroxytryptamine), 12 examination of the venom of European widow spider ( L. tredecimguttatus ) indicates that the major toxin is a high -molecular -weight (i.e., 120,000 Da), presynaptic neurotoxin called α -latrotoxin.…”