Paralytic and insecticidal toxins from the funnel web spider, Hololena curta

Abstract One peptide and ten acylpolyamine toxins (curtatoxins) were purified and identified from venom of Hololena curta . The acylpolyamines consist of six different polyamines which are amidated with three different aromatic acids: (3-indolyl)acetic, (4-hydroxy-3-indolyl)acetic and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acids. These acylpolyamines instantly paralyze lepidopteran larvae following injection. The most potent insecticidal peptide in H. curta venom contains 38 amino acids and is lethal at 4 μg/g when injected into Manduca sexta larvae.