Cytolytic Peptides from Oxyopes takobius Spider Venom Inhibit Chlamydial Growth

Abstract— Cytolytic peptides are a large, heterogeneous group of proteinaceous compounds capable of disrupting the integrity of biological membranes and causing cell lysis. Arthropod venom is a rich source of cytolytic peptides. Melittin from honeybee venom, as well as several peptides from the venom of the spider Lachesana tarabaevi, have previously been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of the intracellular parasitic bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. In this study, using the Tet-On system for regulated gene expression in HEK293 cells, it was demonstrated that oxyopinins—cytolytic peptides derived from the venom of the spider Oxyopes takobius—exhibit similar anti-chlamydial activity. Oxyopinins have diverse amino acid sequences and are not homologous to previously studied peptides. This work significantly expands the range of known compounds with anti-chlamydial activity.