Venom extraction method influences venom composition and potency in the giant house spider Eratigena atrica (C. L. Koch, 1843)

Keith Lyons; Michel M Dugon; Aoife Boyd; Kevin Healy

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107303

Venom extraction method influences venom composition and potency in the giant house spider Eratigena atrica (C. L. Koch, 1843)

Toxicon. 2023 Oct:234:107303. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107303. Epub 2023 Sep 27.

Authors

Keith Lyons¹, Michel M Dugon², Aoife Boyd³, Kevin Healy⁴

Affiliations

¹ Macroecology Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: k.lyons7@nuigalway.ie.
² Venom Systems & Proteomics Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland.
³ Pathogenic Mechanisms Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland.
⁴ Macroecology Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland.

PMID: 37775046
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107303

Abstract

Extraction is the first step when investigating venom composition and function. In small invertebrates, widely used extraction methods include electrostimulation and venom gland extraction, however, the influence of these methods on composition and toxicology is poorly understood. Using the Giant House Spider Eratigena atrica as a model, we show that electrostimulation and venom gland removal extraction methods produce different protein profiles as assessed by Coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE and significantly different potencies in the cricket Acheta domesticus.

Keywords: Composition; ED(50,) LD(50); Extraction; Potency; Spider; Venom.