beta-Bungarotoxin antagonizes the effect of alpha-latrotoxin from black widow spider venom on the neuromuscular junction.
Sustained contraction of the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparations evoked by alpha-latrotoxin was antagonized quickly by beta-bungarotoxin. This effect of beta-bungarotoxin was dependent on its phospholipase A2 activity. In contrast, pancreatic phospholipase A2 was ineffective even at a much higher dose. It is concluded that alpha-latrotoxin needs intact presynaptic membrane to exert its effect.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002645:Chickens; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*
D001180:Arthropod Venoms; D002038:Bungarotoxins; D013111:Spider Venoms; C020763:alpha-latrotoxin; D000109:Acetylcholine