Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins.

Authors :: Robinson SD
Deuis JR
Touchard A
Keramidas A
Mueller A
Schroeder CI
Barassé V
Walker AA
Brinkwirth N
Jami S
Bonnafé E
Treilhou M
Undheim EAB
Schmidt JO
King GF
Vetter I
Source :: Nature communications [Nat Commun] 2023 May 23; Vol. 14 (1), pp. 2977. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 May 23.
Publication Year :: 2023
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 (Na <subscript>V</subscript> ) 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.<br /> (© 2023. The Author(s).)