title: [Modulation of skeletal muscle contraction by the non-toxic fraction of Buthus occitanus tunetanus venom via the cholinergic receptors].
abstract: Cholinergic receptors have an essential physiological role in the central nervous system because of their implication in higher functions in the neuromuscular junction within the brain and also in the peripheral nervous system by activating nicotinic (nAChRs) or muscarinic (mAChRs) receptors. Moreover, cholinergic receptors could be recognized by animal toxins isolated from snake venoms or alkaloids having animal or vegetal origin. In this context, we aim to find such molecules in a non toxic venom fraction of Buthus occitanus tunetanus scorpion, M1, which could therefore constitute promising medical tool. We present here a physiological study in skeletal muscle cells that regroups data that have been recently published and some new results reinforcing the last ones. The global effect of M1, was firstly studied on isolated nerve-muscle preparation. In cultured myotubes, we have found that the intracellular calcium increase, induced by M1 was blocked when ryanodine or inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors are inhibited. Moreover, we have shown that M1 application on myotubes, induced a membrane depolarization as seen with acetylcholine. The treatment of myotubes with alpha-bungarotoxin blocked in most parts the depolarization amplitude. Thus, these results confirm the presence of at least one component in M1 active in nAChRs.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Venins et Toxines, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, BP 74-1002 Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheikh
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cognard
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Potreau
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bescond
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Ayeb
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benkhalifa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011893:Rana esculenta; D051381:Rats; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000187:drug effects*; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / Q000187:drug effects; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012605:Scorpions
chemical_list: D002038:Bungarotoxins; D015220:Calcium Channels; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; D012604:Scorpion Venoms