Abstract
Extracts of the poison glands of the spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus were found to have approximately the same toxicity, on a body weight basis, toward the housefly and the guinea pig (10–12 LD 50 per milligram of protein per kilogram of animal). These extracts were subjected to different procedures for the separation of their protein components. Column electrophoresis on cellulose powder allowed the separation of five protein fractions: peaks 1, 2, and 4 were associated with toxic material. The toxic material connected with peak 1 (LV 1) produced quick paralysis in houseflies, that with peak 4 (LV 2) produced slow paralysis in houseflies, and that with peak 2 (LV 3) produced in guinea pigs the characteristic symptoms of Latrodectus bite in mammals. Gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 gave three protein fractions; all the toxic activities were associated with the intermediate fraction. Chromatography on a column of DEAE-Sephadex A-50 of an extract purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 allowed complete separation of LV 1, LV 2, and LV 3. These were the most active preparations of the three venoms so far obtained; their toxicities were 81, 84, and 230 LD 50 per milligram of protein per kilogram of animal, respectively.
Published Version
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