Meaning of latrotoxin | Babel Free

Definitions

Any of a group of neurotoxins found in the venom of spiders of the genus Latrodectus.

Examples

“The black widow spider injects a neurotoxin called α-latrotoxin in its venom, which causes the release⟳ of acetylcholine and catecholamines at the neuromuscular junction.”

“At present⟳, seven different latrotoxins have⟳ been isolated from the venom of L. tredecimguttatus.”

“These toxins are produced by black or brown widow spiders from the genus Latrodectus and are directed predominantly against vertebrates (α-LTX), although five homologous insect-specific latrotoxins and one crustacean-specific latrotoxin coexist in the venom of Latrodectus mactans tredecimguttans.”

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