BIOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF Loxosceles adelaida SPIDER VENOM (ARANEAE, SICARIIDAE) FROM CAVES OF PETAR - RIBEIRA VALLEY - SÃO PAULO

Pretel, F.D.; Gonçalves-de-Andrade, R.M.; Tambourgi, D.V.

Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Loxosceles is the most venomous spider in Brazil, and envenomation causes dermonecrosis and complement-dependent haemolysis.

The aim of this study was to characterize some of the biological and immunochemical properties of the venoms from Loxosceles spiders captured in the caves of “Parque Estadual Turístico do Alto Ribeira”, (PETAR). The spiders that have already been captured in these caves were identified as Loxosceles adelaida. Despite of the fact that accidents have never been reported, this species could have toxic components in its venom and thus cause envenomation in human beings. As Loxosceles adelaida belongs to the gaucho’s group, Loxosceles gaucho venom was also tested in order to compare their activities. SDS-PAGE analysis of L. adelaida and L. gaucho venoms showed differences in the number and size of the protein bands. Moreover, lectin blot assays also showed distinct patterns of glycosilated components in their venoms. L. adelaida and L. gaucho venoms were fully able to induce complement dependent haemolytic and dermonecrotic reactions. Rabbit serum against L. gaucho venom was able to recognize several components of L. adelaida venom. The present results show that L. adelaida venom can induce all the toxic effects reported for the Loxosceles venom of medical importance and reinforce the necessity of better understanding the molecular mechanisms of Loxosceles venoms for the development of an efficient therapy.

Supported by FAPESP, CAPES and CAT

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

Fernando Delgado Pretel, Rua Claudionor Alves Bastos, 206, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05594-130, Email: fpretel@ig.com.br