Abstract
Spider venoms are known to contain proteins and polypeptides that perform various functions including antimicrobial, neurotoxic, analgesic, cytotoxic, necrotic, and hemagglutinic activities. Currently, several classes of natural molecules from spider venoms are potential sources of chemotherapeutics against tumor cells. Some of the spider peptide toxins produce lethal effects on tumor cells by regulating the cell cycle, activating caspase pathway or inactivating mitochondria. Some of them also target the various types of ion channels (including voltage-gated calcium channels, voltage-gated sodium channels, and acid-sensing ion channels) among other pain-related targets. Herein we review the structure and pharmacology of spider-venom peptides that are being used as leads for the development of therapeutics against the pathophysiological conditions including cancer and pain.
Highlights
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods belonging to the subphylum Chelicerata and have been on Earth for at least 300 million years [1]
We focus on the potential therapeutic applications and mechanisms of spider peptides, with respect to their anticancer and antinociceptive activity (Table 1)
Ω-agatoxin-IVA (Figure 1C), a blocker of spinal P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), attenuates neuronal responses in physiological conditions rather than neuropathic conditions [67]. These results suggest that Tx3-3 inhibits neuropathic pain and that R-type VGCCs a important target for neuropathic pain relief [71]
Summary
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods belonging to the subphylum Chelicerata and have been on Earth for at least 300 million years [1]. Some of the spider peptide toxins produce lethal effects on tumor cells by regulating the cell cycle, activating caspase pathway or inactivating mitochondria. The venom of the spider Macrothele raven has an effect on proliferation and apoptosis of different types of tumor cells.
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