Spider neurotoxins and method of producing the same

摘要

The isolation of a protein and the cloning and expression of the corresponding gene which encodes the neurotoxin delta-latroinsectotoxin (delta-LIT) is disclosed. The protein is isolated from the venom of the Black Widow Spider, Latrodectus mactans Tredecimguttatus. The native gene encodes a precursor protein which is non-toxic. Truncation of the gene at both the N-terminus and C-terminus yields a toxic protein which can be expressed in bacterial cells. It is postulated that delta-LIT may be used as an insecticide. In addition, the gene may be introduced and expressed in both plants and non-human animals.