Biologically active phenol and indole derivatives of terrestrial arthropods: electrophy­sio­logical and chemical characteristics

Abstract

Toxins-antagonists of glutamatergic synapses were found in venoms of different terrestrial Arthrpopodae, both Insecta and Aranei. Chemical structures of some of them were described, and a majority of such substances are derivatives of phenol and indole. They are used successfully for electrophysiological investigations of membrane structures, and present review is devoted to some results of such studies that may be useful for laboratory investigations. Here, we described chemical structure of some toxins, as well as the results of electrophysiological registration of activities of different venoms and toxins of Arthropodae. Hypotheses that explain physiological effects of the substances – antagonists of glutamate receptors depending on the peculiarities of their chemical structures are suggested. The role of different sites of toxins’ molecules in blocking of glutamate receptors is discussed. The information about venoms’ components of Insecta family Sphecidae (Philanthus triangulum), and of some Araneidae spider species of Argiope, Araneus, Nephila genera is also presented.

Keywords

• arthropods’ venoms
• toxins
• receptor antagonists
• transmembrane electric current