Detection and Purification of Insecticidal Peptides from Scorpions and Spiders: A Rapid Method for Their Isolation from Their Crude Venoms Using MALDI-TOF-MS Analysis

The insecticidal neurotoxins AaIT, LqhIT2, and miew-agaIV from venom of Arachnida were rapidly re-purified from their respective crude venoms using mass spectrometry analyses and two high pressure chromatographic steps. The purity of each toxin was confirmed by capillary zone electrophoresis. Each toxin was identified by mass spectrometry and their biological activity confirmed by bioassays against tobacco cutworms and mice. In addition, AaIT and LqhIT2 were partially sequenced using post-source decay mass spectrometry analysis. The spider neurotoxin miew-agaIV was identified from other isomassic peptide by fingerprint mass analysis of its tryptic fragments.