title: Effects of tarantula toxin GsMTx4 on the membrane motor of outer hair cells.
abstract: GsMTx4, a cationic hydrophobic peptide isolated from tarantula venom, is a specific inhibitor of stretch-activated channels (SACs). Here, we show that the toxin also affects the membrane motor of outer hair cells at low doses. The membrane motor of outer hair cells is based on prestin, a member of the SLC26 family of membrane proteins, and directly uses electrical energy available at the plasma membrane. It is considered to be an essential part of the "cochlear amplifier," which increases the sensitivity, tuning, and dynamic range of the mammalian ear. The toxin shifts the operating point of the motor. The saturating value of the voltage shift is (26 +/- 1) mV, capable of significantly reducing the performance of the cochlear amplifier. The dissociation constant is (3.1 +/- 0.6) microM, about five-fold higher than that for SACs.
authors.affiliation: Section on Biophysics, LCB, NIDCD, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-8027, USA.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Iwasa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D018072:Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010455:Peptides / Q000633:toxicity*; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C411249:MTx4 protein, Grammostola spatulata; D010455:Peptides; D013111:Spider Venoms