Researchers at the University of Münster have decoded the structure of α-latrotoxin, a key toxin in black widow spider venom. This toxin binds to receptors on nerve cells, causing calcium ions to flow into the cells uncontrollably, triggering muscle spasms. Using cryo-electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, scientists uncovered how the toxin transforms and forms a calcium channel when inserted into cell membranes. These findings offer insights into potential applications, including antidotes, treatments for paralysis, and biopesticides.
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