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Effects of sea‐anemone toxin (ATX‐II) on the frequency of miniature endplate potentials at rat neuromuscular junctions
Author(s) -
Harris J.B.,
Tesseraux Irene
Publication year - 1984
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.1476-5381.1984.tb16120.x
Subject(s) - tetrodotoxin , toxin , sea anemone , depolarization , sodium channel , anatomy , anemone , neuromuscular junction , biophysics , biology , chemistry , medicine , sodium , endocrinology , biochemistry , neuroscience , botany , organic chemistry
Soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles were isolated from rats. The muscles were exposed to ATX‐II, a toxin isolated from extracts of the sea‐anemone Anemonia sulcata . The toxin caused a dose‐dependent increase in the frequency of miniature endplate potentials in both types of muscle. The increase in frequency could be reversed by the application of tetrodotoxin (TTX), and could be prevented by prior exposure of the muscles to TTX. It is concluded that ATX‐II causes a sodium‐dependent depolarization of the nerve‐terminal membrane.