New synonymy and combinations in Megamyrmaekion Reuss, 1834 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

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  New synonymy and combinations in Megamyrmaekion Reuss, 1834 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) Abstract The drassodine ground spider genus Megamyrmaekion Reuss, 1834 is recorded from Vietnam for the first time as a result of the following new combinations here proposed: M. luridum (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874) comb. nov., ex Drassodes Westring, 1851, and M. vickyae (Sherwood, Marusik, Sharp & Ashmole, 2023) comb. nov., ex Australoechemus Schmidt & Piepho, 1994. Detailed redescriptions and illustrations of the male and female of M. luridum comb. nov., from Vietnam are provided. Additionally, A. celer Schmidt & Piepho, 1994 syn. nov., is recognized as a junior synonym of M. caudatum Reuss, 1834. Drassus tarrhunensis Karsch, 1881 is removed from the synonymy of M. caudatum and provisionally transferred to the genus Megamyrmaekion as M. tarrhunense (Karsch, 1881) comb. nov. Truong, B.P., Le, T.T.S., Uyen, P.T.T., Phan, Q.T. & Hoang, Q.D. (2026) New synonymy and combinations in Meg...

Immunomodulatory properties of venom-derived crotamine

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Immunomodulatory properties of venom-derived crotamine

Abstract

Crotamine is a low-molecular-weight cationic polypeptide isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom, classified as a non-enzymatic toxin with distinctive structural and functional properties. This toxin also exhibits characteristics of a cell-penetrating peptide, owing to its ability to translocate across biological membranes in a largely non-specific manner and to deliver diverse molecular cargos into cells. Beyond its well-established internalization capacity, emerging evidence suggests that crotamine exerts immunomodulatory effects. In our mini review, we discuss current advances in understanding crotamine as a venom-derived immunomodulatory peptide, highlighting its structural similarities with host defense peptides, its interactions with immune cells, and its potential applications in immunotherapy and drug delivery.

Oliveira, I. S., Ferreira, I. G., Sousa, L., Alberghini-dos-Santos, J., Cerni, F. A., & Pucca, M. B. (2026). Immunomodulatory properties of venom-derived crotamine. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 17, 1860014. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2026.1860014