Publications by authors named "W Gremski"

Article Synopsis
  • Loxosceles intermedia venom is a complex mix of proteins that work together to paralyze prey, with knottin peptides being the most prevalent toxins found in the venom.
  • A specific knottin peptide, U-sicaritoxin-Li1b, which has 53 amino acids, was created in a lab and was shown to cause irreversible paralysis in sheep blowflies.
  • The research indicates that knottin peptides are a conserved toxin family across different Loxosceles species, hinting at potential uses in biotechnology for these venoms.
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Loxosceles spiders' venom comprises a complex mixture of biologically active toxins, mostly consisting of low molecular mass components (2-40 kDa). Amongst, isoforms of astacin-like metalloproteases were identified through transcriptome and proteome analyses. Only LALP1 (Loxosceles Astacin-Like protease 1) has been characterized.

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Loxosceles spiders are responsible for serious human envenomations worldwide. The collection of symptoms found in victims after accidents is called loxoscelism and is characterized by two clinical conditions: cutaneous loxoscelism and systemic loxocelism. The only specific treatment is serum therapy, in which an antiserum produced with Loxosceles venom is administered to the victims after spider accidents.

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The venom of a Loxosceles spider is composed of a complex mixture of biologically active components, consisting predominantly of low molecular mass molecules (3-45 kDa). Transcriptome analysis of the Loxosceles intermedia venom gland revealed ESTs with similarity to the previously described LiTx peptides. Sequences similar to the LiTx3 isoform were the most abundant, representing approximately 13.

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Loxoscelism is the designation given to clinical symptoms evoked by Loxosceles spider's bites. Clinical manifestations include skin necrosis with gravitational spreading and systemic disturbs. The venom contains several enzymatic toxins.

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