Identification of insecticidal peptides from venom of the trap-door spider, Aptostichus schlingeri (Ctenizidae).

Nine insecticidal peptides were isolated from the venom of the trap-door spider, Aptostichus schlingeri. Seven of these toxins cause flaccid paralysis of insect larvae within 10 min of injection and all were lethal within 24 hr. The complete amino acid sequences (32-76 residues) of six peptides are presented. The identified peptides contain three or four disulfide bonds and the larger peptides (74-76 residues) are quite similar in sequence with carboxyl termini as free acids, not amidated.