A new class of scorpion toxin binding sites related to an A-type K+ channel: Pharmacological characterization and localization in rat brain

Hélène Vacher, Régine Romi-Lebrun, Christiane Mourre, Bruno Lebrun, Said Kourrich, Frédérique Masméjean, Terumi Nakajima, Christian Legros, Marcel Crest, Pierre E. Bougis, Marie France Martin-Eauclaire

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

A new scorpion toxin (3751.8 Da) was isolated from the Buthus martensi venom, sequenced and chemically synthesized (sBmTX3). The A-type current of striatum neurons in culture completely disappeared when 1 μM sBmTX3 was applied (K d=54 nM), whereas the sustained K+ current was unaffected. 125I-sBmTX3 specifically bound to rat brain synaptosomes (maximum binding=14 fmol mg-1 of protein, K d=0.21 nM). A panel of toxins yet described as specific ligands for K+ channels were unable to compete with 125I-sBmTX3. A high density of 125I-sBmTX3 binding sites was found in the striatum, hippocampus, superior colliculus, and cerebellum in the adult rat brain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)31-36
Number of pages6
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume501
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 13 2001

Keywords

  • A-type K current
  • Distribution in rat brain
  • Scorpion toxin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A new class of scorpion toxin binding sites related to an A-type K+ channel: Pharmacological characterization and localization in rat brain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this