Isolation and purification of a lethal scorpion toxin with neuromuscular blocking activity.
Indian J Exp Biol
;
1990 May; 28(5): 451-4
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-57851
ABSTRACT
Toxin-L a lethal neuromuscular blocking agent was isolated from the venom of the scorpion, Lychas laevifrons (Pocock), by the CM-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography. It was a homogenous, thermolabile and low molecular weight protein. The toxin produced irreversible blockade of indirect stimulation induced twitch responses on innervated rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm and chick biventer cervicis preparation. The toxin did not produce any contractile response on toad rectus abdominis muscle preparation. On chronically denervated rat diaphragm, the toxin failed to alter the responses induced by direct stimulation, exogenous acetylcholine, potassium chloride and caffeine. Acetylcholine and carbachol induced contractions on isolated chick biventer cervicis remained unaltered by the toxin. Neostigmine failed to alter toxin induced neuromuscular blockade on innervated rat diaphragm. The toxin released a significant amount of acetylcholine from innervated rat diaphragm. It may be concluded that the toxin acts presynaptically through the release of acetylcholine, thereby producing neuromuscular blockade.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Scorpion Venoms
/
Animals
/
Molecular Weight
/
Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
/
Neuromuscular Junction
/
Neurotoxins
Language:
English
Journal:
Indian J Exp Biol
Year:
1990
Type:
Article
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