Multiple effects of alpha-toxins on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
Very low concentrations (5 nM) of alpha-toxin from the venom of Naja naja atra produced a characteristic fade in muscle compound action potential and tetanus induced by repetitive nerve stimulation which was identical to the effects of curare. High concentrations of alpha-toxin and all concentrations of alpha-bungarotoxin reduced the response but produced very little fade in comparison to curare. These results suggest that alpha-toxins have more than one effect at the neuromuscular junction.
Neuropsychiatry Research Program, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294.
R J
RJ
Bradley
M K
MK
Pagala
M T
MT
Edge
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D003039:Cobra Neurotoxin Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003472:Curare / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects*
D002038:Bungarotoxins; D003039:Cobra Neurotoxin Proteins; D004546:Elapid Venoms; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; C025154:alpha-cobratoxin; D003472:Curare