Chemical characterization of acylpolyamine toxins from venom of a trap-door spider and two tarantulas.

Abstract Two acylpolyamines are identified from venom of the trap-door spider, Hebestatis theveniti . These toxins (paralytic to lepidopteran insect larvae) are amides containing 3-(3-indolyl)lactic acid joined to spermine or 1,13-diamino-4,10-diazatridecane (Het 389 and Het 403 , respectively). Het 389 is also abundant in venom from a tarantula from Mozambique ( Harpactirella sp.). Two additional acylpolyamines (Apc 600 and Apc 728 ) are partially characterized from venom of another tarantula, Aphonopelma chalcodes .