Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins
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Department of Entomology, University of ArizonaIssue Date
2023-05-23Metadata
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Nature ResearchCitation
Robinson, S.D., Deuis, J.R., Touchard, A. et al. Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins. Nat Commun 14, 2977 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38839-1Journal
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© The Author(s) 2023. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Collection Information
This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.Abstract
Stings of certain ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) can cause intense, long-lasting nociception. Here we show that the major contributors to these symptoms are venom peptides that modulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels, reducing their voltage threshold for activation and inhibiting channel inactivation. These peptide toxins are likely vertebrate-selective, consistent with a primarily defensive function. They emerged early in the Formicidae lineage and may have been a pivotal factor in the expansion of ants. © 2023, The Author(s).Note
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2041-1723PubMed ID
37221205Version
Final Published VersionScopus Count
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as © The Author(s) 2023. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.