Pharmacological comparison of two different insect models using the scorpion alpha-like toxin BmK M1 from Buthus martensii Karsch

Protein Pept Lett. 2005 May;12(4):363-7. doi: 10.2174/0929866053765635.

Abstract

In this study, the effect of the scorpion alpha-like toxin BmK M1 was investigated on isolated DUM neurons from Locusta migratoria and compared with the effect on para/tipE voltage-gated Na(+) channels (VGSC), cloned from Drosophila melanogaster. The two insects display different pharmacological properties regarding alpha-like toxins. Moreover, with the aid of the alpha-like toxin BmK M1 and 5 of its mutants, the importance of aromatic residues for the interaction of the toxin with the VGSC in L. migratoria and D. melanogaster, is shown.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
  • Electrophysiology
  • Insect Proteins
  • Locusta migratoria / physiology*
  • Mutation
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurotoxins / pharmacology*
  • Scorpion Venoms / pharmacology*
  • Sodium Channels / drug effects*
  • Species Specificity
  • Xenopus laevis

Substances

  • BmK M1 neurotoxin
  • Insect Proteins
  • Neurotoxins
  • Scorpion Venoms
  • Sodium Channels