Blood-feeding venoms lack paralytic or liquefying activity but instead are cocktails of pharmacological modulators that disable the host haemostatic systems simultaneously at multiple points. In contrast, recent research into blood-feeding heteropterans has revealed the structure and function of many protein and non-protein components that facilitate acquisition of blood meals.
However, the detailed composition and molecular targets of predatory venoms are largely unknown. Disulfide-rich peptides, bioactive phospholipids, small molecules such as N, N-dimethylaniline and 1,2,5-trithiepane, and toxic enzymes such as phospholipase A 2, have been reported in predatory venoms. These venoms are powerfully insecticidal, and may cause paralysis or death when injected into vertebrates. Predaceous species produce venoms that induce rapid paralysis and liquefaction.
Here we review the current state of knowledge with regard to heteropteran venoms. Crucial to the success of each of these strategies is the injection of venom. The piercing-sucking mouthparts of the true bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera) have allowed diversification from a plant-feeding ancestor into a wide range of trophic strategies that include predation and blood-feeding.
0 kommentar(er)
