Abstract
Ants (Formicidae) represent a taxonomically diverse group of hymenopterans with over 13,000 extant species, the majority of which inject or spray secretions from a venom gland. The evolutionary success of ants is mostly due to their unique eusociality that has permitted them to develop complex collaborative strategies, partly involving their venom secretions, to defend their nest against predators, microbial pathogens, ant competitors, and to hunt prey. Activities of ant venom include paralytic, cytolytic, haemolytic, allergenic, pro-inflammatory, insecticidal, antimicrobial, and pain-producing pharmacologic activities, while non-toxic functions include roles in chemical communication involving trail and sex pheromones, deterrents, and aggregators. While these diverse activities in ant venoms have until now been largely understudied due to the small venom yield from ants, modern analytical and venomic techniques are beginning to reveal the diversity of toxin structure and function. As such, ant venoms are distinct from other venomous animals, not only rich in linear, dimeric and disulfide-bonded peptides and bioactive proteins, but also other volatile and non-volatile compounds such as alkaloids and hydrocarbons. The present review details the unique structures and pharmacologies of known ant venom proteinaceous and alkaloidal toxins and their potential as a source of novel bioinsecticides and therapeutic agents.
Highlights
Nature contains a vast diversity of bioactive molecules and is a source of inspiration for chemists, biochemists and the pharmaceutical industry searching for molecules of potential therapeutic benefit or insecticidal activity
This genus has been very recently incorporated within Solenopsis [146]; 2 Pumiliotoxins are important alkaloids isolated from mixed whole ant extracts of other groups, but as yet it is unknown whether these alkaloids come from the venom apparatus
Formicinae ants and some Myrmicinae genera essentially produce non-proteinaceous venoms primarily composed of formic acid and alkaloids, respectively
Summary
Nature contains a vast diversity of bioactive molecules and is a source of inspiration for chemists, biochemists and the pharmaceutical industry searching for molecules of potential therapeutic benefit or insecticidal activity. Ants are one of the most abundant groups of venomous organisms and dominate most terrestrial environments [4,5], with around 13,165 extant species described far [6] and an estimated total of ~25,000 species belonging to 16 different subfamilies [7,8,9] (Figure 1A) Their stunning ecological diversity has contributed to broad species diversity and, presumably, to the evolution of multiple venom types. While many ants overcome their prey by attacking in large numbers, some ant species are solitary hunters, suggesting that their venom is potent enough to rapidly subdue their prey to solitary wasps that prey on caterpillars, crickets or spiders [11] This great taxonomical and ecological diversity has allowed ants to employ their venom for several purposes such as predation and defence against predators and competitors. The present review aims to describe the current knowledge of the wide range of toxins present in ant venoms and their functional roles
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