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First published online May 24, 2005
Journal of Experimental Biology 208, 2115-2121 (2005)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2005
doi: 10.1242/jeb.01594
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Spider venom: enhancement of venom efficacy mediated by different synergistic strategies in Cupiennius salei

Benno Wullschleger, Wolfgang Nentwig and Lucia Kuhn-Nentwig*

Zoological Institute, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: lucia.kuhn{at}zos.unibe.ch)

Accepted 14 March 2005

Besides the power of the chelicerae, synergistic interactions between different components in the venom of Cupiennius salei ensure the hunting success of this spider. The main components of the venom were tested alone or in combination according to their physiological venom concentrations in Drosophila bioassays. The high K+ ion content of the venom synergistically increases the insecticidal activity of the neurotoxins CSTX-1, CSTX-9 and CSTX-13 by 20% but does not influence the insecticidal effectiveness of the antimicrobially and cytolytically acting cupiennin 1a. Histamine only enhances the activity of the main neurotoxin CSTX-1. An important role in the envenomation process is exhibited by cupiennin 1a, which increases the insecticidal activity of the above-mentioned neurotoxins by up to 65%. Additionally, the highly synergistic effect of the enhancer CSTX-13 on CSTX-1, provoked in non-toxic physiological concentrations, could be verified for CSTX-9, but not for cupiennin 1a. CSTX-1 and CSTX-9 show positive interactions only when both are injected in toxic non-physiological concentrations.

Key words: neurotoxin, Drosophila melanogaster, bioassay, synergism, multicomponent venom




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