A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species

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  A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species Abstract The ability to adhere to surfaces is particularly relevant for cursorial predatory arthropods like hunting spiders, which often traverse relatively complex environments characterized by large variation in substrate properties. Here, we evaluated the adhesive performance of six hunting spider species that are common in eastern temperate North America and lack specialized tarsi for climbing smooth or inclined surfaces [Lycosidae: Pardosa lapidicina Emerton, 1885 and Rabidosa rabida (Walckenaer, 1837); Oxyopidae: Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845; Pisauridae: Pisaurina mira (Walckenaer, 1837); Dolomedidae: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837), and Dolomedes scriptus Hentz, 1845]. We tested adhesion performance as shear load resistance (g) on a glass plate, and as the angle of failure (°) when the plate was gradually inclined relative to horizontal. Average angle of failure and shear resistance differed among ...

AaeAP2a, a scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptide, combats carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii via membrane disruption and triggered metabolic collapse

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AaeAP2a, a scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptide, combats carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii via membrane disruption and triggered metabolic collapse

Introduction: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) poses a significant global health challenge owing to its high mortality rates and widespread antibiotic resistance. While the clinical utility of last-resort antibiotics, such as colistin, remains limited. Consequently, developing novel antimicrobial agents is imperative. Antimicrobial peptides have emerged as promising candidates against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Animal venom constitutes a rich reservoir of bioactive peptides.

Methods: In this study, in vitro experiments were conducted to assess the antibacterial activity of the scorpion-derived peptide AaeAP2a against CRAB, its inhibition of biofilm formation, as well as its stability and biocompatibility. Additionally, the antibacterial mechanism was investigated, and in vivo efficacy was evaluated using a mouse model of peritonitis-associated sepsis.

Results: AaeAP2a exhibits potent antibacterial activity against CRAB and a significant inhibitory effect on biofilm formation. Moreover, AaeAP2a maintains high stability under a broad range of stressful physicochemical conditions and exhibits promising biocompatibility in vitro. Mechanistically, AaeAP2a disrupts bacterial membrane integrity, increases membrane permeability, reduces the NAD+/NADH ratio, dissipates the proton motive force, decreases ATP production, and induces reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radical accumulation. Moreover, in a mouse model of peritonitis-associated sepsis, AaeAP2a treatment enhanced survival rates and reduced bacterial burdens in key organs.

Discussion: These findings underscore the potential of AaeAP2a as a promising therapeutic agent for CRAB infections, offering novel strategies for addressing antimicrobial resistance.


Luo, W., Zhang, L., Gao, H., Li, H., Li, X., Wen, Y., Sun, H., Hang, B., Zhang, L., Zhang, W., Liu, X., Wang, R., Wen, B., Shen, J., Zhu, C., Bai, Y., Wang, L., Ding, K., & Hu, J. (2025). AaeAP2a, a scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptide, combats carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii via membrane disruption and triggered metabolic collapse. Frontiers in Microbiology, 16, 1673333. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1673333