
pmid: 31276191
Neurotoxins are among the main components of scorpion and snake venoms. Scorpion neurotoxins affect voltage‐gated ion channels, while most snake neurotoxins target ligand‐gated ion channels, mainly nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). We report that scorpion venoms inhibit α‐bungarotoxin binding to both muscle‐type nAChR from Torpedo californica and neuronal human α7 nAChR. Toxins inhibiting nAChRs were identified as OSK‐1 (α‐KTx family) from Orthochirus scrobiculosus and HelaTx1 (κ‐KTx family) from Heterometrus laoticus, both being blockers of voltage‐gated potassium channels. With an IC50 of 1.6 μm, OSK1 inhibits acetylcholine‐induced current through mouse muscle‐type nAChR heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Other well‐characterized scorpion toxins from these families also bind to Torpedo nAChR with micromolar affinities. Our results indicate that scorpion neurotoxins present target promiscuity.
Mice, Xenopus, Animals, Scorpion Venoms, Nicotinic Antagonists, Receptors, Nicotinic, Protein Binding
Mice, Xenopus, Animals, Scorpion Venoms, Nicotinic Antagonists, Receptors, Nicotinic, Protein Binding
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 16 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
