1.
Acta Physiologica Sinica
;
(6): 248-254, 2015.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-255951
ABSTRACT
Voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv4.1, Kv4.2 and Kv4.3) encoded by the members of the KCND/Kv4 (Shal) channel family mediate the native, fast inactivating (A-type) K(+) current (IA) described both in heart and neurons. This IA current is specifically blocked by short scorpion toxins that belong to the α-KTx15 subfamily and which act as pore blockers, a different mode of action by comparison to spider toxins known as gating modifiers. This review summarizes our present chemical and pharmacological knowledge on the α-KTx15 toxins.