Nerve terminals are specific sites of action of a very large number of toxins produced by many different organisms. The mechanism of action of three groups of presynaptic neurotoxins that interfere directly with the process of neurotransmitter release is reviewed, whereas presynaptic neurotoxins acting on ion channels are not dealt with here. These neurotoxins can be grouped in three large families: 1) the clostridial neurotoxins that act inside nerves and block neurotransmitter release via their metalloproteolytic activity directed specifically on SNARE proteins; 2) the snake presynaptic neurotoxins with phospholipase A(2) activity, whose site of action is still undefined and which induce the release of acethylcholine followed by impairment of synaptic functions; and 3) the excitatory latrotoxin-like neurotoxins that induce a massive release of neurotransmitter at peripheral and central synapses. Their modes of binding, sites of action, and biochemical activities are discussed in relation to the symptoms of the diseases they cause. The use of these toxins in cell biology and neuroscience is considered as well as the therapeutic utilization of the botulinum neurotoxins in human diseases characterized by hyperfunction of cholinergic terminals.

https://www.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/physrev.2000.80.2.717

Neurotoxins Affecting Neuroexocytosis

A Cuticle, Temperature and Respiration.- I Chelicerate Cuticle Structure.- II Coloration and Chromes.- III Thermal and Water Relations.- IV Behavioural Temperature Regulation.- V Behavioural and Physiological Adaptations to Cold.- VI Respiratory System: Structure and Function.- VII Heart Rate and Physiological Ecology.- VIII Moulting Hormones.- B Glands, Silk and Webs.- I Glandular Aspects of Sexual Biology.- II Communication with Chemicals: Pheromones and Spiders.- III Spider Venoms and Their Effect.- IV Comparative Structure and Histochemistry of Silk-Producing Organs in Arachnids.- V Fine Structure and Function of Capture Threads.- VI Chemistry, Physical Properties, and Synthesis of Araneidae Orb Webs.- VII Ecological Aspects of Spider Webs.- C Feeding Ecology.- I Structure and Function of the Digestive Tract.- II Excretory Organs.- III The Prey of Spiders.- IV Feeding Ecology of Winter-Active Spiders.- V Kleptobiosis in Spiders.- VI Hunger and Starvation.- D Parasites.- I Nematode Parasites of Spiders.- II Spider-Hunting Sphecid Wasps.- III The Biology of Acroceridae (Diptera): True Endoparasitoids of Spiders.- E Environment and Life History.- I Life Cycles and Diapause.- II Dispersal: Ballooning and Other Mechanisms.- III Growth, Foraging and Reproductive Success.- IV The Biorhythms of Spiders.- References.

Ecophysiology of Spiders

The aqueous extract of the venom glands of black widow spiders was fractionated on a column of Sephadex G-200 and then on a column of DEAE-Sephadex A-50 pH 8.2. A protein fraction was obtained that caused a great increase in the frequency of occurrence of miniature end plate potentials at the frog neuromuscular junction, and caused swelling of the nerve terminals and depleted them of their vesicles. The fraction consists of a least four protein components that are similar in their molecular weights (about 130,000) and isoelectric points (ranging from pH 5.2 to 5.5) and are immunologically indistinguishable. It contains no sugar residues and has little or no lipolytic or proteolytic activity. The fraction is toxic to mice and is different from the fractions that act on houseflies, the crayfish stretch receptor and the cockroach heart. It seems pure enough to warrant a detailed study of its site and mode of action.

https://rupress.org/jcb/article-pdf/68/3/462/1402177/462.pdf

Purification from black widow spider venom of a protein factor causing the depletion of synaptic vesicles at neuromuscular junctions.

α-Latrotoxin and related toxins

The effect of scorpion venom on blowfly larvae-a new method for the evaluation of scorpion venoms potency.

Separation of three toxicologically different protein components from the venom of the spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus

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Separation of three toxicologically different protein components from the venom of the spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus