An insecticidal peptide from the theraposid Brachypelma smithi spider venom reveals common molecular features among spider species from different genera.

The soluble venom of the Mexican theraposid spider Brachypelma smithi was screened for insecticidal peptides based on toxicity to house crickets. An insecticidal peptide, named Bs1 (which stands for Brachypelma smithi toxin 1) was obtained in homogeneous form after the soluble venom was fractionated using reverse-phase and cation-exchange chromatography. It contains 41 amino acids cross-linked by three disulfide bridges. Its sequence is similar to an insecticidal peptide isolated from the theraposid spider Ornithoctonus huwena from China, and another from the hexathelid spider Macrothelegigas from Japan, indicating that they are phylogenetically related. A cDNA library was prepared from the venomous glands of B. smithi and the gene that code for Bs1 was cloned. Sequence analysis of the nucleotides of Bs1 showed similarities to that of the hexathelid spider from Japan proving additional evidence for close genetic relationship between these spider peptides. The mRNAs of these toxins code for signal peptides that are processed at the segment rich in acidic and basic residues. Their C-terminal amino acids are amidated. However, they contain only a glycine residue at the most C-terminal position, without the presence of additional basic amino acid residues, normally required for post-translation processing of other toxins reported in the literature. The possible mechanism of action of Bs1 was investigated using several ion channels as putative receptors. Bs1 had minor, but significant effects on the Para/tipE insect ion channel, which could indirectly correlate with the observed lethal activity to crickets.