REVIEW: Molecular Diversity of Spider Venom

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A. A. Vassilevski^*, S. A. Kozlov, and E. V. Grishin^*

Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; E-mail: grev@ibch.ru; avas@ibch.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received April 7, 2009; Revision received June 5, 2009

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Spider venom, a factor that has played a decisive role in the evolution of one of the most successful groups of living organisms, is reviewed. Unique molecular diversity of venom components including substances of variable structure (from simple low molecular weight compounds to large multidomain proteins) with different functions is considered. Special attention is given to the structure, properties, and biosynthesis of toxins of polypeptide nature.

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KEY WORDS: spider venom, toxin, neurotoxin, cytolytic peptide, acylpolyamine, latrotoxin, toxic enzymes, protein structure and function, biosynthesis

DOI: 10.1134/S000297909130069

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