RESUMO
Saxitoxin (STX) is one of the most toxic marine toxins.Scientists have been focusing on STX research due to the potentially pharmaceutical values and serious threat to human safety and health.. This review summarizes the structure, properties, binding targets and combination of structural basis of STX and its analogues in recent years reported. STX can bind Na+, K+, Ca2+channels to suppress the channel ion current, but also combine the bullfrog Saxiphilin protein and puffer fish STX/TTX binding protein (PSTBP) to protect the body from STX toxicity. STX also as a substrate for STX enzymes and affects the activity of nitric oxide synthase, antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore,this review has a comprehensive analysis of these targets of STX and a preliminary discussion of the medicinal value of anesthesia and analgesia and the development of antidotes to STX. It is expected to provide a reference for further study of the nature of STX and its application in various fields.