Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins

Samuel D. Robinson (), Jennifer R. Deuis, Axel Touchard, Angelo Keramidas, Alexander Mueller, Christina I. Schroeder, Valentine Barassé, Andrew A. Walker, Nina Brinkwirth, Sina Jami, Elsa Bonnafé, Michel Treilhou, Eivind A. B. Undheim, Justin O. Schmidt, Glenn F. King and Irina Vetter ()
Additional contact information
Samuel D. Robinson: University of Queensland
Jennifer R. Deuis: University of Queensland
Axel Touchard: Campus Agronomique; BP 316
Angelo Keramidas: University of Queensland
Alexander Mueller: University of Queensland
Christina I. Schroeder: University of Queensland
Valentine Barassé: Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun
Andrew A. Walker: University of Queensland
Nina Brinkwirth: Nanion Technologies
Sina Jami: University of Queensland
Elsa Bonnafé: Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun
Michel Treilhou: Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun
Eivind A. B. Undheim: University of Queensland
Justin O. Schmidt: Southwestern Biological Institute
Glenn F. King: University of Queensland
Irina Vetter: University of Queensland

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Stings of certain ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) can cause intense, long-lasting nociception. Here we show that the major contributors to these symptoms are venom peptides that modulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels, reducing their voltage threshold for activation and inhibiting channel inactivation. These peptide toxins are likely vertebrate-selective, consistent with a primarily defensive function. They emerged early in the Formicidae lineage and may have been a pivotal factor in the expansion of ants.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38839-1

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