Exploring the Venom of Ectatomma brunneum Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Ant venom has several functions including predation, communication, defense against predators, and action against pathogens. Data about ant venom components, which provide support for understand action mechanisms, allergenicity, and biological activity, are few. The objective was to identify the amino acids and proteins in the venom of the predatory ant Ectatomma brunneum and to evaluate its antimicrobial activity. The amino acids were analyzed by liquid chromatography with diode array detection and identified using amino acid standards. The two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis fractionation approach was used to identify the proteins, together with MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and protein databases. The antimicrobial activity of the venom was evaluated using the minimum inhibitory and minimum microbiocidal concentrations. The venom of E. brummeum has free amino acids with high amount of alanine. The 2D gel analysis show 104 spots, from which 21 were identified and classified according to biological function in: venom proteins, nontoxic reservoir protection, cellular maintenance proteins, and proteins with unknown function. The venom has antimicrobial activity, inhibiting growth of all the bacteria and fungi tested. Results provide new insights to the knowledge of the ant venom components and antimicrobial activity.