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Multiple effects of α‐toxins on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Author(s) -
Bradley R.J.,
Pagala M.K.,
Edge M.T.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(87)80469-6
Subject(s) - curare , neuromuscular junction , toxin , acetylcholine receptor , chemistry , nicotinic agonist , acetylcholine , stimulation , tetanus , venom , pharmacology , nicotinic acetylcholine receptor , botulinum toxin , biophysics , receptor , biochemistry , biology , endocrinology , neuroscience , immunology , vaccination
Very low concentrations (5 nM) of α‐toxin from the venom of Naja naja atra produced a characteristic fade in muscle compound action potential and tetanus induced by repetitive nerve stimulation which was identical to the effects of curare. High concentrations of α‐toxin and all concentrations of α‐bungarotoxin reduced the response but produced very little fade in comparison to curare. These results suggest that α‐toxins have more than one effect at the neuromuscular junction.