Abstract
The actions of crude venom from Anemesia species of spider were investigated in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurones from neonatal rats and hippocampal slices. Using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), 10-12 distinct peptides with masses between about 3 and 10 kDa were identified in the crude spider venom. At a concentration of 5 mug/ml crude Anemesia venom transiently enhanced the mean peak whole cell voltage-activated Ca2+ current in a voltage-dependent manner and potentiated transient increases in intracellular Ca2+ triggered by 30 mM KCI as measured using Fura-2 fluorescence imaging. Additionally, 5-8 mug/ml Anemesia venom increased the amplitude of glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents evoked in hippocampal slices. omega -Conotoxin GVIA (1 RM) prevented the increase in voltage-activated Ca2+ currents produced by Anemesia venom. This attenuation occurred when the cone shell toxin was applied before or after the spider venom. Anemesia venom (5 mug/ml) created no significant change in evoked action potentials but produced modest but significant inhibition of voltage-activated K+ currents. At a concentration of 50 mug/ml Anemesia venom only produced reversible inhibitory effects, decreasing voltage-activated Ca2+ currents. However, no significant effects on Ca2+ currents were observed with a concentration of 0.5 mug/ml. The toxin(s) in the venom that enhanced Ca2+ influx into sensory neurones was heat-sensitive and was made inactive by boiling or repetitive freeze-thawing. Boiled venom (5 mug/ml) produced significant inhibition of voltage-activated Ca2+ currents and freeze-thawed venom inhibited Ca2+ transients measured using Fura-2 fluorescence. Our data suggest that crude Anemesia venom contains components, which increased neuronal excitability and neurotransmission, at least in part this was mediated by enhancing Ca2+ influx through N-type voltage-activated Ca2+ channels. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 212-221 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Cell Calcium |
Volume | 30 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2001 |
Keywords
- CEREBELLAR GRANULE NEURONS
- OMEGA-CONOTOXIN GVIA
- CALCIUM CHANNELS
- INHIBITION
- TOXIN
- POLYAMINE
- RELEASE
- LIGAND
- BLOCK