Venomous spiders employ a wide variety of toxins to kill their prey.
Institut für Ökologie und Evolution, Universität Bern
Spider venom is more complex, and therefore deadlier to prey, than previously thought. Researchers at the University of Bern have unpicked the various components of the venom and pieced together how each element interacts to immobilize and kill prey.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
It is hoped that the grisly discovery will help advance medical treatments for diseases of the human nervous system.
Bern university’s Institute for Ecology and EvolutionExternal link (IEE) studied the venom of the central American spider Cupiennius salei. This large spider does not weave a web, but preys on insects and small vertebrates by ambushing them.
Researchers found that the spider’s venom comprises of far more than neurotoxins that attack the nervous system. It also targets the internal soft tissues and metabolic pathways of prey and triggers a massive spike in blood sugar.
A key breakthrough was the identification of the so-called α amylase as the main protein in the spider venom. This allowed researchers to explain the presence of many other peptides and proteins in the spider venom.
“This dual prey inactivation strategy is very effective – it reduces the risk that the spider loses a prey animal and also that potential prey animals develop long-term resistance to spider venom,” said IEE lead researcher Lucia Kuhn-Nentwig in an articleExternal link published in the journal ToxinsExternal link.
“Spider venom is more than a toxin, it is a whole armada of substances that attack, paralyse and kill an organism in many different ways.”
Researchers say that the findings of the Cupiennius salei venom can also be transferred to other spiders.
Related Stories
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Politics
Most Swiss Abroad won’t be able to vote online in 2027 federal election
This content was published on
The wage gap between married mothers and fathers in Switzerland is significantly worse than that between single woman and men.
This content was published on
The new "Swiss Football Home" football campus is being built in Thun. The centre, based on an international model, will include pitches for the senior national teams and the headquarters of the Swiss Football Association.
Report identifies gaps in Swiss anti-racism and anti-Semitism measures
This content was published on
Among other things, there are gaps in criminal and civil law protection against racism on the internet, a report published on Tuesday suggests.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Surprising symbiosis found between spiders and plants
This content was published on
Crab spiders, which occupy flowering plants to pick off visiting pollinators, might also be useful, the University of Zurich has found.
This content was published on
The arachnids in question are Mexican redknee tarantulas – a protected species, according to a statement released by the Zurich customs investigation office on Wednesday. Customs workers had found the individually-wrapped tarantulas packed in six cartons in August; ten of the large furry spiders had apparently died during the journey. Zurich Zoo is taking care…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.