Snake venoms and the neuromuscular junction.
There are approximately 420 venomous species of snakes living on the earth. Their venoms, each unique, can affect multiple organ systems. The venoms have a predilection for the peripheral nervous system where the neuromuscular junction is a favorite target. Those venoms affecting the release of acetylcholine from the presynaptic membrane are called beta-neurotoxins and those affecting the postsynaptic membrane are called alpha-neurotoxins. alpha-Bungarotoxin has been used in quantitative studies of acetylcholine receptor density and turnover and for the assay of antibodies directed against the acetylcholine receptor. A unique feature of timber rattlesnake venom is its ability to cause clinical myokymia. This likely results from a blockade of voltage gated K+ antibodies.
Lewis
Robert L
RL
Department of Neurology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505,USA.
Gutmann
Ludwig
L
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012910:Snake Venoms