Seven high molecular weight neurotoxins which stimulate secretion of various neurotransmitters were isolated from the venom of black widow spider Latrodectus mactans tredecimauttatus. Among them a-latrotoxin is very specific for vertebrate while latroinsectotoxins are active only for insects, a-latrocrustatoxin affects crustacean nerve endings. Latrotoxin preparation consists of 130 and 8 kD pr...

The web of the black widow is apparently a random spatial arrangement of threads, whichprovides its occupant with housing, means to capture prey and protection. However toensure that these functions are fulfilled, the spider has evolved to adapt the architecture ofthe web so that it would be able to adequately respond to the outer environment and toproperly transmit the stresses...