Abstract: The invention provides insecticidally effective peptides isolatable from Diguetia spider venom, methods for preparing and using insecticides, and DNA encoding such insecticidally effective peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides insecticidally effective peptides isolatable from Diguetia spider venom, methods for preparing and using insecticides, and DNA encoding such insecticidally effective peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides insecticidally effective peptides isolatable from Diguetia spider venom, methods for preparing and using insecticides, and DNA encoding such insecticidally effective peptides.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for blocking Ca.sup.2+ channels within an organism are provided. For example, a toxin was isolated from the Agelenopsis aperta spider. The toxin comprised a 48 amino acid toxin having a molecular weight of approximately 5,274. This toxin was found to block calcium channels within the central nervous system. The Agelenopsis gene responsible for producing this toxin has been identified and cloned. This gene and/or its derivatives provide a mechanism by which the toxin can be produced using recombinant DNA expression technologies.The present invention further relates to methods of treating neurological diseases by applying the toxins isolated and identified. The toxin may provide beneficial effects on certain neurological conditions including seizures, ischemic-hypoxic CNS damage, and neurodegenerative disorders. It is also found that the toxins are effective as tags in probing calcium channels.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for blocking various channels and receptors within an organism are provided. For example, two toxins were isolated from the Agelenopsis aperta spider. The first toxin comprised a toxin having a molecular weight of from aproximately 5,000 to approximately 10,000. This toxin was found to have an irreversible effect on calcium channels within the central nervous system. A second toxin having a molecular weight of less than about 1,000 was also isolated. This toxin was found to have a reversible blocking effect on calcium channels within the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.A third toxin was isolated from the Argiope aurantia spider. This toxin was found to have a reversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors. Finally, a toxin having a molecular weight of from approximately 5,000 to approximately 7,000 daltons was isolated from the Hololena curta spider. This toxin was found to have an irreversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for blocking various channels and receptors within an organism are provided. For example, a toxin was isolated from the Argiope aurantia spider. This toxin was found to have a reversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors. Another toxin having a molecular weight of from approximately 5,000 to approximately 7,000 daltons was isolated from the Hololena curta spider. This toxin was found to have an irreversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors.The present invention further relates to methods of treating heart and neurological diseases by applying the toxins isolated and identified. In particular, the low molecular weight toxin from Agelenopsis aperta may provide a treatment of certain heart conditions such as arrhythmia, angina, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. In addition, the toxins may provide beneficial effects on certain neuological conditions including seizures.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for blocking various channels and receptors within an organism are provided. For example, two toxins were isolated from the Agelenopsis aperta spider. The first toxin comprised a toxin having a molecular weight of from approximately 5,000 to approximately 10,000. This toxin was found to have an irreversible effect on calcium channels within the central nervous system. A second toxin having a molecular weight of less than about 1,000 was also isolated. This toxin was found to have a reversible blocking effect on calcium channels within the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.A third toxin was isolated from the Argiope aurantia spider. This toxin was found to have a reversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors. Finally, a toxin having a molecular weight of from approximately 5,000 to approximately 7,000 daltons was isolated from the Hololena Curta spider. This toxin was found to have an irreversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors.