The Biochemical Toxin Arsenal from Ant Venoms

摘要: Ants (Formicidae) represent a taxonomically diverse group of hymenopterans with over 13,000 extant species, the majority which inject or spray secretions from venom gland. The evolutionary success ants is mostly due to their unique eusociality that has permitted them develop complex collaborative strategies, partly involving secretions, defend nest against predators, microbial pathogens, ant competitors, and hunt prey. Activities include paralytic, cytolytic, haemolytic, allergenic, pro-inflammatory, insecticidal, antimicrobial, pain-producing pharmacologic activities, while non-toxic functions roles in chemical communication trail sex pheromones, deterrents, aggregators. While these activities venoms have until now been largely understudied small yield ants, modern analytical venomic techniques are beginning reveal diversity toxin structure function. As such, distinct other venomous animals, not only rich linear, dimeric disulfide-bonded peptides bioactive proteins, but also volatile non-volatile compounds such as alkaloids hydrocarbons. present review details structures pharmacologies known proteinaceous alkaloidal toxins potential source novel bioinsecticides therapeutic agents.