Sodium channel-binding toxins

Differences in the equilibrium dissociation constant, K, for the binding of the various saxitoxins to the sodium channel binding site largely determine the differences in the potencies of the toxins in whole animal assays and in tissue preparations. 

Ciguatoxins, same as brevetoxins, bind to site 5 on sodium channels, so toxins can be detected based on their ability to selectively inhibit the binding of [ H]-brevetoxin to sodium channels in rat brain synaptosomes. ° Inoue et al. published that gambierol was able to displace [ H] -brevetoxin from its binding site in the same conditions as ciguatoxins, though at higher concentration. ... 

Turning now to chemical attack, many predators immobilize their prey by injecting toxins, often neurotoxins, into them. Examples include venomous snakes, spiders, and scorpions. Some spider toxins (Quick and Usherwood 1990 Figure 1.3) are neurotoxic through antagonistic action upon glutamate receptors. The venom of some scorpions contains polypeptide neurotoxins that bind to the sodium channel. 

Research in this area advanced in the 1970 s as several groups reported the isolation of potent toxins from P. brevis cell cultures (2-7). To date, the structures of at least eight active neurotoxins have been elucidated (PbTx-1 through PbTx-8) (8). Early studies of toxic fractions indicated diverse pathophysiological effects in vivo as well as in a number of nerve and muscle tissue preparations (reviewed in 9-11). The site of action of two major brevetoxins, PbTx-2 and PbTx-3, has been shown to be the voltage-sensitive sodium channel (8,12). These compounds bind to a specific receptor site on the channel complex where they cause persistent activation, increased Na flux, and subsequent depolarization of excitable cells at resting... 

Barhanin et al. (26) chemically modified the side chains of several residues to correlate structure and function in As II. Their results established the importance of charged residues for the function of the toxin. They showed that Arg-13 is essential for binding to the sodium channels as well as for toxicity, while the aspartate, glutamate, and lysine residues in the N-terminal segment of the protein are... 

Very rapid-acting paralytic neurotoxin that binds to sodium channels of nerve and muscle cells depolarizing neurons by increasing the sodium channel permeability. It is obtained from South American poison-dart frogs (Phyllobates aurotaenia, Phyllobates terribilis). It is insoluble in water but soluble in hydrocarbons and other nonpolar solvents. The dried toxin can remain active for at least a year. However, it is relatively nonpersistent in the environment. 

Paralytic neurotoxins that bind to sodium channels of nerve and muscle cells causing muscle contractions. They are obtained from the dinoflagellate that causes "red-tide" (Gymnodinium breve). Toxins are typically light tan crystalline solids. They are insoluble in water and very unstable. 

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