New biologically active molecules: search for new enzyme inhibitors in the venom of spider Loxosceles laeta and preliminary study of pheromones and kairomones in the brown spider genus

• Grant number: 08/02899-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2009
• End date: February 28, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Enzymology
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Calheta Vieira Portaro
• Grantee: Fernanda Calheta Vieira Portaro
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Animal venoms are a rich source to search for new molecules with biological activity and potential to its use both as laboratory tools and as prototypes to the development of new drugs. The present study is based in it propose, having the venom of the spider Loxosceles laeta used for the search of new molecules with low molecular weight and with inhibitory activity against endogenous proteases and sphingomielinases. Recent ESTs results obtained by our Research Group from the glandules of the L. laeta will be a useful tool to elucidate the primary sequences of the new and active molecules that we intent to find. After the discovery of the new endogenous enzymes inhibitors, we will able to study the potential of its molecule as inhibitors of human proteases involved in pathophisiological process, like ACE, thrombin and plasmin. In parallel, we will start a preliminary study about the pheromones and kairomones used by the brow spiders, L. laeta, L. intermedia and L. gaucho. The aim of this study is to understand the evolutionary and behavioral aspects guided by its small molecules. In addition, is worth to mentionated that both the human accidents frequency and the clinical envenomation evolution are important Public Health questions in Brazil. In the last years, a great number of human accident occurrences involving brown spiders were reported in the south and southeast of the Brazilian territory. So, the best scientific knowledge about the major toxins present in the venom of spiders of Loxosceles genus is important to provide solutions to this endemic problem. Finally, the search for new and potent biologically inhibitors present in the venom of the Loxoscels laeta and for pheromones and kairomones in the Loxoscels genus are the subjects of the present study, additionally of biotechnological interests. (AU)