title: Potassium channel blockers from the venom of the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus ().
abstract: Potassium (K(+)) channels are trans-membrane proteins, which play a key role in cellular excitability and signal transduction pathways. Scorpion toxins blocking the ion-conducting pore from the external side have been invaluable probes to elucidate the structural, functional, and physio-pathological characteristics of these ion channels. This review will focus on the interaction between K(+) channels and their peptide blockers isolated from the venom of the scorpion Tityus serrulatus, which is considered as the most dangerous scorpion in Brazil, in particular in Minas-Gerais State, where many casualties are described each year. The primary mechanisms of action of these K(+) blockers will be discussed in correlation with their structure, very often non-canonical compared to those of other well known K(+) channels blockers purified from other scorpion venoms. Also, special attention will be brought to the most recent data obtained by proteomic and transcriptomic analyses on Tityus serrulatus venoms and venom glands.
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CRN2M UMR7286, 13344, Marseille, France. Electronic address: marie-france.eauclaire@univ-amu.fr.
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Martin-Eauclaire
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Depto de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo-Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adriano M C
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pimenta
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CRN2M UMR7286, 13344, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Pierre E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Bougis
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Depto de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo-Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria-Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: De Lima
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D008958:Models, Molecular; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity; D066244:Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000737:chemistry*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D014118:Toxins, Biological
keywords: Blockers; Potassium channels; Scorpion toxins; Tityus serrulatus