Spider applications

Spider Silk and Spider Silk-ELP Fusion Proteins from Plants Expression, Purification and Applications... 

Applications of Spider Silk-ELP Fusion Proteins in Mammalian Cell Culture... 

Animals often use toxins to immobilise their prey, often insects. Wasps, bees, spiders, mites, scorpions, snakes and other reptiles are all capable of producing potent toxins many of which are insect specific. There is much work in progress around the world examining the opportunities that exist to exploit these toxins to produce new insecticides. This is usually undertaken in two different ways. The first is to determine the mode of action of the natural toxin and to use this novel effect to find synthetic compounds with insecticidal activity in biochemical screens. The second is to attempt to synthesise compounds with the same structural features of the natural toxin and hence with the same mode of action but with better stability following application. The types of compounds that are known are discussed by Blagbrough and Moya13 but none has been commercialised to date. 

Repeat at two week intervals for three applications. Caution there have been reports of soap damaging leaves. Using a garden hose outdoors, or a mister indoors, to spray both tops and bottoms of the leaves may be able to control spider mites without using soap. 

Aga IVA and ro-conotoxin GVIA are standard tools in elucidating the roles of P/Q-type and N-type calcium channels in synaptic transmission. In many types of synapses, application of either toxin may mediate moderate inhibition of neurotransmitter release, whereas co-application of both blockers may almost abolish synaptic transmission due to the nonlinear dependence of synaptic release on intracellular calcium concentration. On a final note, we should add that there are many other species of cone snails and spiders that produce active toxins which selectivity inhibit specific calcium channel subtypes (for example, co-conotoxins GVIB, GVIC, GVIIA, SVIA, SVIB), and it is likely that many more remain to be discovered (Olivera et al. 1994). 

Uses Dichlorvos is a colorless to amber liquid with a mild chemical odor. The USEPA has classified it under RUP, and hence it should be purchased and used only by certified applicators. Dichlorvos is used primarily to control household insects such as flies, aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, and thrips. The chemical also is used therapeutically against parasitic worm infections in dogs, livestock, and humans. The mechanism of action appears to be a contact poison and stomach poison in insects caused by interference with cholinesterase, a neurologic enzyme that is important to nerve transmissions. It is used as a fumigant and has been used to make pet collars and pest strips. It is available as an aerosol and a soluble concentrate.28 44... 

Uses Disulfoton is a yellowish oil. It is grouped by the USEPA under RUP and therefore must be handled by qualified and trained applicators. Disulfoton is a selective systemic insecticide and acaricide. It is specifically effective against sucking insects and is used to control aphids, leafhoppers, thrips, beet flies, spider mites, and coffee leaf-miners. Disulfoton products are used on cotton, tobacco, sugar beets, cole crops, com, peanuts, wheat, ornamentals, cereal grains, and potatoes.28... 

There are several reports of the use of silk in biomaterials. Kluge et al. (2008) provide a good overview of application of spider silks including recombinant versions. In addition to spider silks there are other types of silks that provide distinct and useful properties, such as those derived from mussels which will presumably become targets for recombinant protein production (Carrington, 2008). 

Recently, Foo et al. (2006) produced some novel nanocomposites from spider silk-silica fusion (chimeric) proteins. The composite morphology and structure could be regulated by controlling processing conditions to produce films and fibers. Silk and biomineralization being natural inspiration sources will allow production of numerous new materials in various fields of application. 

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