Calpains participate in nerve terminal degeneration induced by spider and snake presynaptic neurotoxins

► An important step of the complex neurodegenerative process induced by two animal toxins is described. ► Primary neuronal cultures, Western blotting and live-imaging approaches were used. ► We found here that calpains play a major role in toxins-induced degeneration. ► Toxins-induced calpain activation leads to cytoskeleton degradation.