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A large number of novel Ergtoxin‐like genes and ERG K + ‐channels blocking peptides from scorpions of the genus Centruroides
Author(s) -
Corona Miguel,
Gurrola Georgina B.,
Merino Enrique,
Cassulini Rita Restano,
Valdez-Cruz Norma A.,
Garcı́a Blanca,
Ramı́rez-Domı́nguez Martha E.,
Coronas Fredy I.V.,
Zamudio Fernando Z.,
Wanke Enzo,
Possani Lourival D.
Publication year - 2002
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/s0014-5793(02)03652-9
Subject(s) - phylogenetic tree , biology , gene , peptide sequence , amino acid , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Twenty‐three novel sequences similar to Ergtoxin (ErgTx) were obtained by direct sequencing of peptides or deduced from gene cloned using cDNAs of venomous glands of Centruroides ( C .) elegans , C. exilicauda , C. gracilis , C. limpidus limpidus , C. noxius and C. sculpturatus . These peptides have from 42 to 47 amino acid residues cross‐linked by four disulfide bridges. They share sequence similarities (60–98% compared with ErgTx1) and were shown to block ERG K + ‐channels of F‐11 clone (N18TG‐2×rat DRG) cultured cells. An unrooted phylogenetic tree analysis of these peptides showed that they conform at least five different subfamilies, of which three are novel subfamilies.