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- Title
Functional analysis of the α-neurotoxin, BmαTX14, derived from the Chinese scorpion, Buthus martensii Karsch.
- Authors
Kun Wang; Shi-Jin Yin; Meng Lu; Hong Yi; Chao Dai; Xiu-Jing Xu; Zhi-Jian Cao; Ying-Liang Wu; Wen-Xin Li
- Abstract
The gene encoding the BmαTX14 (α-neurotoxin TX14) protein, derived from the cDNA library of the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch, was expressed in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant protein was purified by metal chelate affinity chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. Using patch-clamp technique, electrophysiological activity of rBmαTX14 was identified. In the neurons isolated from mice trigeminal root ganglion, the Na+ current amplitude was reduced by 80% under whole cell patch-clamp recording. There were no apparent modifications to the gating mechanism in the presence of rBmαTX14. Although BmαTX14 shared a high amino acid sequence similarity with other typical α-toxins, it has different effects on neurons. Further electrophysiological analysis suggested that rBmαTX14 selectively blocked Na+ channels and is a member of a new group of scorpion toxins.
- Subjects
GENE expression; GENETIC code; GENETIC transcription; CELLS; GEL permeation chromatography; NEURONS
- Publication
Biotechnology Letters, 2006, Vol 28, Issue 21, p1767
- ISSN
0141-5492
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10529-006-9155-y