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

  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 the validity of Glabropelmatidae Raven, 1985 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae): a replacement name for Melloinidae Perafán, Montes de Oca and Pérez-Miles, 2025

 

On the validity of Glabropelmatidae Raven, 1985 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae): a replacement name for Melloinidae Perafán, Montes de Oca and Pérez-Miles, 2025

ABSTRACT

The family name Melloinidae Perafán, Montes de Oca and PérezMiles, 2025 proposed for the mygalomorph genus Melloina Brignoli, 1985 is invalid. Reexamination of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) confirms that Glabropelmatinae Raven, 1985 holds priority, as it was correctly established when the type species was under Glabropelma Raven, 1985. Consequently, the family name Glabropelmatidae Raven, 1985 is valid.

Perafán, C., Montes de Oca, L., & Pérez-Miles, F. (2026). On the validity of Glabropelmatidae Raven, 1985 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae): a replacement name for Melloinidae Perafán, Montes de Oca and Pérez-Miles, 2025. Journal of Natural History, 60(21–24), 1239–1241. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2661983