Biochimie
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Spider venoms are complex mixtures of neurotoxic peptides, proteins and low molecular mass organic molecules. Their neurotoxic activity is due to the interaction of the venom components with cellular receptors, in particular ion channels. ⋯ Following diverse molecular evolution mechanisms, and in particular selective hypermutation, short spider peptides appear to have functionally diversified while retaining a conserved molecular scaffold. This paper reviews the composition and pharmacology of spider venoms with emphasis on polypeptide toxin structure, mode of action and molecular evolution.