title: Selective effects of an octopus toxin on action potentials.
abstract: 1. A lethal, water soluble toxin (Maculotoxin, MTX) with a molecular weight less than 540, can be extracted from the salivary glands of an octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa).2. MTX blocks action potentials in sartorius muscle fibres of toads without affecting the membrane potential. Delayed rectification is not inhibited by the toxin.3. At low concentrations (10(-6)-10(-5) g/ml.) MTX blocks action potentials only after a certain number have been elicited. The number of action potentials, which can be defined accurately, depends on the concentration of MTX and the concentration of sodium ions in the extracellular solution.4. The toxin has no post-synaptic effect at the neuromuscular junction and it is concluded that it blocks neuromuscular transmission by inhibiting action potentials in motor nerve terminals.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D002024:Bufo marinus; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008970:Molecular Weight; D008974:Mollusca; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009210:Myofibrils / Q000502:physiology; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D012469:Salivary Glands; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014403:Tubocurarine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014118:Toxins, Biological; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D012964:Sodium; D014403:Tubocurarine