Alpha-Bungarotoxin
α-bungarotoxin is one of the components of the venom of the elapid snake Taiwanese banded krait ("Bungarus multicinctus"). It binds irreversibly and competitively to the acetylcholine receptor found at the neuromuscular junction, causing paralysis, respiratory failure and death in the victim.
α-bungarotoxin is also a selective antagonist of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the brain, and as such has applications in neuroscience research.
History
Bungarotoxin was discovered by Chuan-Chiung Chang and Chen-Yuan Lee of the National Taiwan University in 1963. [cite journal |author=Chang C |title=Looking back on the discovery of alpha-bungarotoxin |journal=J. Biomed. Sci. |volume=6 |issue=6 |pages=368–75 |year=1999 |pmid=10545772] [cite journal |author=Chu N |title=Contribution of a snake venom toxin to myasthenia gravis: the discovery of alpha-bungarotoxin in Taiwan |journal=Journal of the history of the neurosciences |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=138–48 |year=2005 |pmid=16019658 |url=http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowPDF&ProduktNr=224178&Ausgabe=226136&ArtikelNr=25412&filename=25412.pdf |doi=10.1080/096470490881770]
References
External links
*
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/viewer.fcgi?db=nucleotide&val=5763973 Structure] at GenBank
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Bungarotoxin — is a toxin derived from the krait Bungarus multicinctus. [MeshName|Bungarotoxins] There are two types:* Alpha Bungarotoxin * Beta BungarotoxinReferences … Wikipedia
alpha-neurotoxins — (= a neurotoxins) Postsynaptic neurotoxins, many varieties of which are found in snake venoms. Two subclasses, short (four disulphides, 60 62 residues) and long (five disulphides and 66 74 residues). Examples include alpha bungarotoxin, alpha… … Dictionary of molecular biology
Alpha-GPC — Systematic (IUPAC) name [(2S) 2,3 dihydroxypropyl] 2 trimethylazaniumylethyl phosphate Clinical data Pregnancy cat … Wikipedia
alpha-Ethyltryptamine — α Ethyltryptamine Systematic (IUPAC) name 1 (1H indol 3 yl)b … Wikipedia
Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin — Crystal structure of Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin Identifiers Symbol ? … Wikipedia
Conotoxin — Alpha conotoxin precursor α Conotoxin PnIB from C. pennaceus, disulfide bonds shown in yellow. From the University of Michigan s Orientations of Proteins in Membranes database, PDB … Wikipedia
Neurotoxin — A neurotoxin is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells[1] (neurons), usually by interacting with membrane proteins such as ion channels. Some sources are more general, and define the effect of neurotoxins as occurring at nerve tissue.[2]… … Wikipedia
Botulinum toxin — Clinical data Pregnancy cat. ? Legal status ? (US) Rout … Wikipedia
Methyllycaconitine — Clinical data Pregnancy cat. ? Legal status ? I … Wikipedia
Onchidal — Systematic (IUPAC) name (1E,3E) 5 (2,2 dimethyl 6 methylenecyclohexyl) 3 formylpenta 1,3 dien 1 yl acetate Clinical data Pregnancy cat … Wikipedia