Rational attenuation of elapid long-chain neurotoxin by targeted residue substitution and disulfide architecture simplification: implications for receptor interaction and immune recognition

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  Rational attenuation of elapid long-chain neurotoxin by targeted residue substitution and disulfide architecture simplification: implications for receptor interaction and immune recognition Abstract Elapid long-chain neurotoxins (LNTxs) exert their toxicity through high-affinity binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Specific residues mediate this process, including basic (Lys23, Arg33, Arg36, Lys49), structural (Cys26, Cys30), and aromatic (Phe29) amino acids. To investigate the functional and immunogenic implications of modifying these residues, we designed two recombinant variants of a consensus LNTx. The first variant, rLcNTx V1, contains charge-reversal mutations at four key basic positions, while the second, rLcNTx V2, lacks the segment corresponding to the fifth disulfide bond. We expressed both variants in Escherichia coli Origami cells. rLcNTx V1 was recovered in a soluble form, but rLcNTx V2 was present only in inclusion bodies. We assessed the binding ...

On small huntsman spiders (Araneae, Philodromidae) occurring in Guizhou and Hubei provinces, China

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On small huntsman spiders (Araneae, Philodromidae) occurring in Guizhou and Hubei provinces, China

Abstract

Spiders of the family Philodromidae Thorell, 1869 from Guizhou and Hubei provinces, China are studied. A total of three genera and seven species are reported and illustrated, comprising Sinodromus lanyue sp. nov. (newly recorded genus for Hubei), and all known species from both provinces: Philodromus auricomus L. Koch, 1878, P. guiyang Long & Yu, 2022, P. subaureolus Bösenberg & Strand, 1906, P. paiki Jang, Lee, Yoo & Kim, 2024 (the previously records of P. spinitarsis Simon, 1895 from Guizhou and Hubei are presumed to be misidentifications, and should belong to P. paiki), P. rufus Walckenaer, 1826 (new record for Hubei) and Tibellus japonicus Efimik, 1999 (new record for Hubei). Detailed descriptions, diagnoses, and illustrations of S. lanyue sp. nov. and P. guiyang are given, and the male of P. guiyang is diagnosed and described in English for the first time. The other five species are also re-illustrated. Their DNA barcodes were obtained for species delimitation, matching of sexes and future use.

Zhang J, Zhang C, Zhong Y (2025) On small huntsman spiders (Araneae, Philodromidae) occurring in Guizhou and Hubei provinces, China. ZooKeys 1240: 327-368. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1240.149456