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LONDON - Tarantulas and chili peppers may not appear to have anything in common, but an encounter with either the spider or the plant can be a painful experience.Scientists at the University of California at San Francisco have discovered that they use similar tactics to frighten off predators by causing pain.
The venom of tarantula Psalmopoeus cambridgei, which is a native species in Trinidad and Tobago, contains toxins that trigger the same pain receptor on nerve cells throughout the body as hot chili peppers.
Capsaicin, the main pungent ingredient in hot chili peppers, sets it off.
“We have identified a new mechanism whereby venoms produce pain, and we have shown it is similar to one used by pepper plants to generate a similar sensation,” said David Julius, a molecular biologist at the university.
Both the spider and the plant have evolved a common mechanism to deter predators, he added.
When Julius and his colleagues, who reported their findings this week in the journal Nature, tested the venom of the spider in the laboratory on cells that contained the receptor it sparked a response, but not in the cells without the receptor.
The researchers also isolated three compounds from the spider venom. Mice with the receptor showed signs of pain and inflammation when the compounds were applied to their paw.
But there was no response in transgenic mice without the receptor.
The researchers whose work is focused on understanding the molecular basis of pain sensation believe other spiders may also use a similar defense mechanism.
Chilehead Comments:
Posted by: Nick Lindauer - Categories: Capsaicin Information
Permalink: Tarantulas and chili peppers
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9 Comments »
It will when the bottle walks to your table on command.
I somewhat find this article reassuring if I ever get bit by a tarantula!
Anthony on 11/9/2006 at 8:30 am said:
I somewhat find this article reassuring if I ever get bit by a tarantula!
Can’t be as bad as Black Mamba…
Lee@DC on 11/9/2006 at 9:58 am said:
Can’t be as bad as Black Mamba…
The sauce or the snake? I haven’t been bit by the snake but the sauce sure got me good!
Nick Lindauer on 11/9/2006 at 7:43 am said:
This isn’t going to make me like spiders any more then normal
I am with you Nick! EWWW
Nick Lindauer on 11/9/2006 at 7:43 am said:
This isn’t going to make me like spiders any more then normal
Uhhhhh…. dont you remember that your the guy that eats bugs? I have pics to prove it ![]()
[…] Aside from its uses as a pesticide and agent of non-lethal force, Capsaicin, the chemical pepper plants produce, is a very popular food additive. It’s chemically similar to tarantula venom, and might have some surprising health benefits. I works by tricking your nerves into thinking your skin is on fire. Nice. […]
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Hmmmm, wing sauce made with tarantula parts, I’ll get right on that.