latrotoxin

English

Etymology

Blend of Latrodectus and toxin.

Noun

latrotoxin (plural latrotoxins)

1. (biochemistry) Any of a group of neurotoxins found in the venom of spiders of the genus Latrodectus.
   • 2007, Melissa A. Bogle, “5: Bites and Stings”, in Kenneth A. Arndt, Jeffrey T. S. Hsu, editors, Manual of Dermatologic Therapeutics, page 37:

     The black widow spider injects a neurotoxin called α-latrotoxin in its venom, which causes the release of acetylcholine and catecholamines at the neuromuscular junction.

   • 2011, Graham M. Nicholson, “Chapter 54: Spider Venom Peptides”, in Abba J. Kastin, editor, Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides, page 377:

     At present, seven different latrotoxins have been isolated from the venom of L. tredecimguttatus.

   • 2011, Juan M. Pascual, “44: Disorders of Muscle Excitability”, in Scott Brady, George Siegel, R. Wayne Albers, Donald Price, editors, Basic Neurochemistry, page 797:

     These toxins are produced by black or brown widow spiders from the genus Latrodectus and are directed predominantly against vertebrates (α-LTX), although five homologous insect-specific latrotoxins and one crustacean-specific latrotoxin coexist in the venom of Latrodectus mactans tredecimguttans.

Derived terms

• α-latrotoxin / alpha-latrotoxin

Related terms

• latroinsectotoxin

See also

• latrodectism