latrotoxin

plural latrotoxins

1. biochemistryAny of a group of neurotoxins found in the venom of spiders of the genus Latrodectus.

   At present, seven different latrotoxins have been isolated from the venom of L. tredecimguttatus.

   2011, Graham M. Nicholson, “Chapter 54: Spider Venom Peptides”, in Abba J. Kastin, editor, Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides, page 377

   2 more examples

   The black widow spider injects a neurotoxin called α-latrotoxin in its venom, which causes the release of acetylcholine and catecholamines at the neuromuscular junction.

   2007, Melissa A. Bogle, “5: Bites and Stings”, in Kenneth A. Arndt, Jeffrey T. S. Hsu, editors, Manual of Dermatologic Therapeutics, page 37

   These toxins are produced by black or brown widow spiders from the genus Latrodectus and are directed predominantly against vertebrates (α-LTX), although five homologous insect-specific latrotoxins and one crustacean-specific latrotoxin coexist in the venom of Latrodectus mactans tredecimguttans.

   2011, Juan M. Pascual, “44: Disorders of Muscle Excitability”, in Scott Brady, George Siegel, R. Wayne Albers, Donald Price, editors, Basic Neurochemistry, page 797