What does alpha-latrotoxin do?

What does alpha-latrotoxin do?

α-Latrotoxin is a presynaptic neurotoxin isolated from the venom of the black widow spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus. It exerts toxic effects in the vertebrate central nervous system by depolarizing neurons, by increasing [Ca2+]i and by stimulating uncontrolled exocytosis of neurotransmitters from nerve terminals.

What does latrotoxin do to muscle fibers?

The toxin acts as a cation pore in the presynaptic neuron allowing influx of calcium which causes depolarization and release of neurotransmitters (primarily acetylcholine). This results in stimulation of skeletal and cardiac muscle fibers, pain, and autonomic hyperactivity.

What does latrotoxin release?

α-Latrotoxin has a complex mode of action: it stimulates neurotransmitter release from neurons in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+, and it also stimulates neurotransmitter release from neuroendocrine cells, but only in the presence of Ca2+.

Is latrotoxin an agonist?

It acts as an agonist at the receptor for glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)-amide (GLP-1), thereby stimulating secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta-cells of the islets of Langerhans.

How does latrotoxin affect neuromuscular junction?

Binding of α-latrotoxin to neuronal receptors results in massive release of acetylcholine (ACh) at the neuromuscular junction, resulting in profound muscle contraction. The symptoms of toxicosis relate to this neuromuscular activity and include muscle spasms, muscle pain, and abdominal rigidity.

What is black widow venom made of?

To date, black widow spider venom has been found to contain seven proteins with neurotoxic activity. There are five insectotoxins: α, β, γ, δ, and ε-LIT, with respective molecular masses of 120, 140, 120, 110 and 110 kDa, one latrocrustatoxin, α-LCT (120 kDa), and one vertebrate toxin, α-LTX (130 kDa).

How does latrotoxin the venom of the black widow spider cause muscle spasms and rigidity?

Unique to the widows is latrotoxin. The venom acts on nerves causing the massive release of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and GABA. The release of these neurotransmitters leads to pain, cramps, sweating and fast pulse.

How does Black Widow venom affect the muscles?

Neuromuscular symptoms, including severe muscle pain and cramping, usually occur within an hour. Increased autonomic function leading to tachycardia, tachypnea and hypertension are also associated and are often correlated with increased pain.

What is latrotoxin in neuromuscular junction?

What neurotransmitter does black widow spider venom affect?

acetylcholine
Did you know? The neurotoxin in black widow spider venom is called latrotoxin. Latrotoxin works by causing the release of the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Symptoms of a black widow spider bite include pain, swelling, nausea, sweating and breathing problems.

Is Botox made from spider venom?

No, botulinum toxin is a synthetically produced substance.

How does Alpha Cobratoxin work?

α-Cobratoxin binds antagonistically and slowly reversible to muscle-type and neuronal type nAChRs. This bond will block the receptor’s ability to bind acetylcholine and thereby inhibits the ion flow through the postsynaptic membrane, which will lead to paralysation.

What is in snake venom?

Snake venoms are complex mixtures of enzymes and proteins of various sizes, amines, lipids, nucleosides, and carbohydrates. Venoms also contain various metal ions that are presumed to act as cofactors and include sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.