title: Effects of Buthus martensii (Karsch) scorpion venom on sodium currents in rat anterior pituitary (GH3/B6) cells.
abstract: The effects of two fractions (II, containing anti-insect toxins, and III, containing eight anti-mammal toxins) isolated from the venom of the Old World scorpion Buthus martensii (Karsch) on Na+ currents of rat anterior pituitary cells (GH3/B6 cells) were investigated using the whole-cell configuration of the patch clamp technique. Fraction II induced a temporary, and fraction III a permanent increase of the Na+ current amplitude. Application of each of the venom fractions resulted in a flattening of the curve relating steady state Na+ inactivation to membrane potential. In addition, the two fractions had specific effects. Fraction II shifted the voltage dependence of Na+ current activation by -42 mV, and the voltage dependence of Na+ inactivation by -25 mV in the absence of a conditioning depolarizing pre-pulse. Slowing of Na+ inactivation was most prominent at negative membrane potentials, resulting in a steady Na+ inward current at the holding potential of -80 mV. Fraction III induced a pronounced slowing of Na+ inactivation leading to an increase of peak Na+ currents and to incomplete steady state Na+ inactivation even at positive membrane potentials.
authors.affiliation: Physiologisches Institut, Universitätskrankenhaus Eppendorf, Hamburg, F.R.G.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krylov
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Schwarz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D015222:Sodium Channels