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7564770 
Journal Article 
Pharmacological characterization and chemical fractionation of the venom of the ponerine ant, Paraponera clavata (F.) 
Piek, T; Hue, B; Mantel, P; Nakajima, T; Schmidt, JO; , 
1991 
Yes 
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part C: Comparative Pharmacology and Toxicology
ISSN: 0742-8413 
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD 
OXFORD 
99 
481-486 
English 
1. The neurotoxic action of the venom of the ponerine ant, Paraponera clavata, was studied using a cascade of mammalian smooth muscle preparations and a preparation for investigating transmission from fibres of the cercal nerve to a giant interneuron in the sixth abdominal ganglion of the cockroach. 2. The venom contains three toxic fractions that block synaptic transmission in the insect central nervous system. 3. Two of these fractions have agonistic action on mammalian smooth muscle preparations. 4. One of the later fractions was characterized pharmacologically as containing a kinin. 5. The other, and most active neurotoxic fraction, was rechromatographed, resulting in the purification of a peptide of 25 amino acids residues, called poneratoxin, PoTX: Phe-Leu-Pro-Leu-Leu-Ile-Leu-Gly-Ser-Leu-Leu-Met-Thr-Pro-Pro-Val-Ile-Gln- Ala-Ile-His-Asp-Ala-Gln-Arg-HN2.