Spider toxins and methods for their use as blockers of calcium channels and amino acid receptor function

摘要

Methods and compositions for blocking various channels and receptors within an organism are provided. For example, two toxins were isolated from the Agelenopsis aperta spider. The first toxin comprised a toxin having a molecular weight of from approximately 5,000 to approximately 10, 000. This toxin was found to have an irreversible effect on calcium channels within the central nervous system. A second toxin having a molecular weight of less than about 1,000 was also isolated. This toxin was found to have a reversible blocking effect on calcium channels within the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.P PA third toxin was isolated from the Argiope aurantia spider. This toxin was found to have a reversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors. Finally, a toxin having a molecular weight of from approximately 5,000 to approximately 7,000 daltons was isolated from the Hololena Curta spider. This toxin was found to have an irreversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors.PP The present invention further relates to methods of treating heart and neurological diseases by applying the toxins isolated and identified. In particular, the low molecular weight toxin from Agelenopsis aperta may provide a treatment of certain heart conditions such as arrhythmia, angina, Hypertension, and congestive heart failure. In addition, the toxins may provide beneficial effects on certain neurological conditions including seizures. It is also found that the toxins having an irreversible effect are effective as tags in probing the various components within the calcium channels and excitatory amino acid receptors and are effective insecticides and anthelmintics.