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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