Linear peptides – a combinatorial innovation in the venom of some modern spiders. Venom gland transcriptome analysis of spiders with the focus on linear peptides

In the venom of spiders, linear peptides (LPs), also called cytolytical or antimicrobial peptides, represent a largely neglected group of mostly membrane active substances that contribute in some spider species considerably to the killing power of spider venom. Mainly complex precursor structures encode a plentitude of LPs and besides membrane active peptides, also other bioactive peptides like tachykinin-like peptides underlie the same production mode as LPs in spider venom glands. LPs were identified in the venom gland transcriptomes of the genus Cupiennius, Lycosidae, Ctenidae, Oxyopidae, Pisauridae, and Zodariidae.