ISSN:
1420-9071
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Conclusion I have discussed in this article only the most active toxins, with the result that many interesting substances have been omitted, e.g. the toxins from bee and wasp venoms (apamin, melittin, etc.), of many amphibians (bufotoxins, etc.), ciguatoxins, and many more. Poisons are found in every phylum except birds. Shrews exemplify venomous mammals. One gets a good illustration of the number of poisonous animals by studying the monumental and impressive work byHalstead 106 which consequently excludes terrestrial animals. An interesting fact in this connection is that there are about 20,000 species of spiders, most of which are poisonous. A toxin ranking list has to be included in an article of this kind. The list is, of course, far from complete. Data on molecular weights, mouse lethal doses, etc. are lacking for many potent toxins, such as the dysentery toxin, a neurotoxin with a toxicity comparable to that of the botulinus toxins107, the toxins from the jelly fishChironex fleckeri 106. A comparison on molar basis gives a better notion of the toxicities. Curare has about 1/30 of the toxicity of the curarimimetic snake venom neurotoxins, clearly indicating that curare has a much lower affinity for the acetylcholine receptor. Toxic organisms have developed during millions of years more and more refined toxins, and this evolution has probably brought into existence toxins against every physiological function. Neurochemistry is to a great extent unexplored. Progress in this field will in the nearest future depend on specific toxins from various natural sources. Toxins from spiders, scorpions, snakes, frogs, and fishes are therefore not mere curiosities but valuable tools for research on the molecular mechanisms of neural function and synaptic transmission.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01922797
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