Scientists decode black widow spider venom

The α-latrotoxin, which is dangerous for humans, causes severe muscle contractions and spasms. Researchers from the University of Münster showed in detail how the molecule is structured and how it affects nerve cells. They used high-performance cryo-electron microscopy and molecular dynamics computer simulations.

The black widow spider is one of the most feared spider species. Its venom is a cocktail of seven different toxins that attack the nervous system. These so-called latrotoxins specifically paralyse insects and crustaceans, but one of them, the α-latrotoxin, targets vertebrates and is also poisonous to humans. It interferes with the transmission of signals in the nervous system. As soon as α-latrotoxin binds to specific receptors of the synapses – the contacts between nerve cells or between nerve cells and muscles – calcium ions flow uncontrollably into the presynaptic membranes of the signalling cells. This induces release of neurotransmitters, triggering strong muscle contractions and spasms. Despite the apparent simplicity of this process, there is a highly complex mechanism behind it. Scientists at the University of Münster have now deciphered the structure of α-latrotoxin before and after membrane insertion at near atomic resolution.

The corresponding authors of the study: Prof Christos Gatsogiannis (left) and Prof Andreas Heuer. Photo: Elisa Schulze-Averbeck / Uni MS

In order to better understand the mechanism of calcium influx into the presynaptic membrane, experts from the Center for Soft Nanoscience at the University of Münster, headed by Prof Christos Gatsogiannis (Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics) and Prof Andreas Heuer (Institute of Physical Chemistry), used high-performance cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulations. They showed that the toxin undergoes a remarkable transformation when it binds to the receptor. Part of the toxic molecule forms a stalk that penetrates the cell membrane like a syringe. As a special feature, this stalk forms a small pore in the membrane that functions as a calcium channel. MD simulations revealed that calcium ions can flow into the cell through a selective gate located on the side directly above the pore.

Thanks to these results, researchers now better understand how α-latrotoxin works. “The toxin mimics the function of the calcium channels of the presynaptic membrane in a highly complex way,” explains Christos Gatsogiannis. “It therefore differs in every respect from all previously known toxins.” The new findings open up a wide range of potential applications; latrotoxins have considerable biotechnological potential, including the development of improved antidotes, treatments for paralysis and new biopesticides.

The research results have just been published in the journal Nature Communications. In previous work, the research group led by Christos Gatsogiannis had already deciphered the structure of insect-specific latrotoxins in the venom of the black widow spider before inserting into the membrane.

The project was funded in part by the German Research Foundation (DFG) through the Collaborative Research Centre 1348 “Dynamic Cellular Interfaces”.

Detailed caption for figure 2:

When the α-latrotoxin binds to the receptor of the presynaptic membrane of the signalling cell, it undergoes a transformation: part of the molecule forms a stalk that penetrates the cell membrane (“membrane insertion”, right). As a special feature, this stalk forms a small pore in the membrane that acts as a calcium channel. MD simulations revealed that calcium ions (Ca2+ ions) enter the cell through a lateral selective gate directly above the pore.

Wissenschaftliche Ansprechpartner:

Prof. Christos Gatsogiannis
University of Münster
Gatsogiannis Lab: CryoEM of Complex Nanosystems
Mail: christos.gatsogiannis@uni-muenster.de

Originalpublikation:

BU Klink, A Alavizargar, KK Subramaniam, M Chen, A Heuer, C Gatsogiannis (2024): Structural basis of α-latrotoxin transition to a cation selective pore. Nature Communications 15, 8551; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52635-5

https://www.uni-muenster.de/