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Effects of an isolated toxin from Australian Tiger snake ( Notechis scutatus scutatus ) venom at the mammalian neuromuscular junction
Author(s) -
HARRIS J. B.,
KARLSSON E.,
THESLEFF S.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1973.tb08168.x
Subject(s) - tetrodotoxin , toxin , neuromuscular junction , venom , biology , neurotoxin , anatomy , botulinum toxin , acetylcholine , pharmacology , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , neuroscience
Summary1 The acute effects of a purified toxin from Australian Tiger snake ( Notechis scutatus scutatus ) venom have been investigated at the mammalian neuromuscular junction. 2 The toxin was injected into the tail vein of mice. Death was due to respiratory paralysis. 3 The resting membrane potential, and action potential of muscle fibres in muscles from in vivo intoxicated animals were normal. 4 The frequency of miniature end plate potentials (m.e.p.p.s) from intoxicated nerve‐muscle preparations was reduced, although m.e.p.p. amplitude was unaltered. 5 Nerve stimulation resulted in end plate potentials (e.p.p.s) of quantal amplitude; only rarely was the e.p.p. large enough to give rise to an action potential. 6 High (20 m m ) K + did not increase m.e.p.p. frequency in intoxicated preparations. 7 The toxin was largely ineffective in vitro.8 The similarities and differences between this toxin, β‐bungarotoxin and botulinum toxin are discussed.