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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Harvesting Venom Toxins from Assassin Bugs and Other Heteropteran Insects
Published on: April 21, 2018
Phoneutria nigriventer venom: a cocktail of toxins that affect ion channels
Marcus V Gomez1, Evanguedes Kalapothakis, Cristina Guatimosim
1Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. gomez@icb.ufmg.br
Abstract:
1. We review the pharmacological actions of toxins present in the venom of the aggressive spider Phoneutria nigriventer. 2. This venom is rich in toxins that affect ion channels and neurotransmitter release. Voltage-gated sodium, calcium, and potassium channels have been described as the main targets of these toxins. 3. In addition to these classical actions Phoneutria toxins have also been shown to affect glutamate transporter. 4. It is expected that molecular genetics in addition to biochemical, biophysical and pharmacological approaches will help to further define Phoneutria toxins and their mechanisms of action in the near future.
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