Researchers at the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG) have discovered a significant diversity of enzymes in spider venom, previously overshadowed by the focus on neurotoxins.
These enzymes, found across 140 different families, could revolutionize industries by offering sustainable solutions in waste management and detergent manufacturing due to their biochemical properties. This discovery expands the potential uses of spider venom beyond traditional medical and agricultural applications, promising new research and economic opportunities.
Exploring the Complexity of Spider Venoms
With approximately 52,000 species of spiders globally, these arachnids are incredibly diverse and produce some of the most complex venoms in the animal kingdom. A single species’ venom can contain more than 3,000 distinct molecules, most of which are neurotoxins designed to subdue insect prey.
However, a research team from the LOEWE Centre TBG and the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology’s Bioresources branch (IME-BR) in Giessen, Germany, has uncovered a surprising discovery: spider venom is not just about neurotoxins. It also contains a wide variety of enzymes. The findings, published in npj Biodiversity from the Nature group of journals, highlight the untapped potential of these enzymes and their role in venom complexity.
Enzymatic Diversity in Spider Venom
“In the past, a few pioneering studies suggested the presence of enzymes in spider venoms, but a targeted search for them has never been carried out. We took on this task and systematically screened the raw data of all so far venom-wise analyzed spiders for enzymes. We were able to show that there are in fact more than 140 different enzyme families in their venom,” explains study leader Dr. Tim Lüddecke, head of the Animal Venomics working group at the IME-BR and the Justus Liebig University in Giessen.
“This means, among others, that we have dramatically underestimated the chemical diversity of spider venoms so far, as all calculations of complexity are based on the neurotoxins alone.”
Potential Applications of Spider Venom Enzymes
According to the authors, the results of the work not only enable new research approaches to better understand the evolution and function of spider venoms, but also open new perspectives for their use.
“Enzymes are key building blocks of the bioeconomy. They accelerate chemical reactions and are characterized by very low by-product formation, low energy consumption, and biodegradability. They can therefore be used to create value in a highly sustainable way. Industry is therefore constantly looking for new sources of enzymes,” explains Josephine Dresler, PhD student in the working group and first author of the study.
“Some of the enzymes we have identified could be used in detergents or waste management, for example, because of their fat-splitting or protein-degrading properties. They could make a significant contribution to a sustainable transformation there,” says Dresler.
Unlocking New Research and Industry Opportunities
The work of the Giessen scientists highlights the translational potential hidden in animal venoms, especially those of spiders.
“So far, the spider venom community has focused exclusively on medical or agricultural applications. Our discovery opens up the possibility of establishing a completely new field of applied research,” explains Lüddecke. “But we are only at the beginning, as less than one percent of all spider species have been studied for their venoms. I am confident that we will make more exciting discoveries in the remaining 99 percent of the world’s spider fauna!”
Reference: “Enlightening the toxinological dark matter of spider venom enzymes” by Josephine Dresler, Volker Herzig, Andreas Vilcinskas and Tim Lüddecke, 13 September 2024, npj Biodiversity.
DOI: 10.1038/s44185-024-00058-2
News
Breakthrough for long Covid patients who lost sense of smell
A breakthrough nasal surgery has restored the sense of smell for a dozen long Covid patients. Experts at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust successfully employed a technique typically used for correcting blocked nasal passages, [...]
Scientists Invent Plastic That Can Dissolve In Seawater In Just A Few Hours
Plastic waste and pollution in the sea have been among the most serious environmental problems for decades, causing immense damage to marine life and ecosystems. However, a breakthrough discovery may offer a game-changing solution. [...]
Muscles from the 3D printer
Swiss researchers have developed a method for printing artificial muscles out of silicone. In the future, these could be used on both humans and robots. Swiss researchers have succeeded in printing artificial muscles out [...]
Beneficial genetic changes observed in regular blood donors
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified genetic changes in blood stem cells from frequent blood donors that support the production of new, non-cancerous cells. Understanding the differences in the mutations that accumulate [...]
Shocking Amounts of Microplastics in the Brain – It Could Be Increasing Our Risk of Dementia
The brain has higher concentrations of plastic particles compared to other organs, with increased levels found in dementia patients. In a comprehensive commentary published in Brain Medicine, researchers highlight alarming new evidence of microplastic accumulation [...]
Baffling Scientists for Centuries: New Study Unravels Mystery of Static Electricity
ISTA physicists demonstrate that contact electrification depends on the contact history of materials. For centuries, static electricity has intrigued and perplexed scientists. Now, researchers from the Waitukaitis group at the Institute of Science and [...]
Tumor “Stickiness” – Scientists Develop Potential New Way To Predict Cancer’s Spread
UC San Diego researchers have developed a device that predicts breast cancer aggressiveness by measuring tumor cell adhesion. Weakly adherent cells indicate a higher risk of metastasis, especially in early-stage DCIS. This innovation could [...]
Scientists Just Watched Atoms Move for the First Time Using AI
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking AI-driven technique that reveals the hidden movements of nanoparticles, essential in materials science, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. By integrating artificial intelligence with electron microscopy, researchers can now visualize atomic-level changes that were [...]
Scientists Sound Alarm: “Safe” Antibiotic Has Led to an Almost Untreatable Superbug
A recent study reveals that an antibiotic used for liver disease patients may increase their risk of contracting a dangerous superbug. An international team of researchers has discovered that rifaximin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic [...]
Scientists Discover Natural Compound That Stops Cancer Progression
A discovery led by OHSU was made possible by years of study conducted by University of Portland undergraduates. Scientists have discovered a natural compound that can halt a key process involved in the progression [...]
Scientists Just Discovered an RNA That Repairs DNA Damage – And It’s a Game-Changer
Our DNA is constantly under threat — from cell division errors to external factors like sunlight and smoking. Fortunately, cells have intricate repair mechanisms to counteract this damage. Scientists have uncovered a surprising role played by [...]
What Scientists Just Discovered About COVID-19’s Hidden Death Toll
COVID-19 didn’t just claim lives directly—it reshaped mortality patterns worldwide. A major international study found that life expectancy plummeted across most of the 24 analyzed countries, with additional deaths from cardiovascular disease, substance abuse, and mental [...]
Self-Propelled Nanoparticles Improve Immunotherapy for Non-Invasive Bladder Cancer
A study led by Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in South Korea details the creation of urea-powered nanomotors that enhance immunotherapy for bladder cancer. The nanomotors [...]
Scientists Develop New System That Produces Drinking Water From Thin Air
UT Austin researchers have developed a biodegradable, biomass-based hydrogel that efficiently extracts drinkable water from the air, offering a scalable, sustainable solution for water access in off-grid communities, emergency relief, and agriculture. Discarded food [...]
AI Unveils Hidden Nanoparticles – A Breakthrough in Early Disease Detection
Deep Nanometry (DNM) is an innovative technique combining high-speed optical detection with AI-driven noise reduction, allowing researchers to find rare nanoparticles like extracellular vesicles (EVs). Since EVs play a role in disease detection, DNM [...]
Inhalable nanoparticles could help treat chronic lung disease
Nanoparticles designed to release antibiotics deep inside the lungs reduced inflammation and improved lung function in mice with symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease By Grace Wade Delivering medication to the lungs with inhalable nanoparticles [...]
