Author:

Keywords:

dependent k+ channel, gating modifier toxins, alpha-scorpion toxin, gated ion channels, potassium channels, tarantula toxins, lipid-membrane, domain-ii, molecular determinants, skeletal-muscle, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Pharmacology & Pharmacy, DEPENDENT K+ CHANNEL, GATING MODIFIER TOXINS, ALPHA-SCORPION TOXIN, GATED ION CHANNELS, POTASSIUM CHANNELS, TARANTULA TOXINS, LIPID-MEMBRANE, DOMAIN-II, MOLECULAR DETERMINANTS, SKELETAL-MUSCLE, Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Drug Delivery Systems, Humans, Ion Channel Gating, Molecular Sequence Data, Sodium Channel Blockers, Sodium Channels, Spider Venoms, 06 Biological Sciences, 11 Medical and Health Sciences, 3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences

Abstract:

Voltage-activated sodium (Nav) channels are essential in generating and propagating nerve impulses, placing them amongst the most widely targeted ion channels by toxins from venomous organisms. An increasing number of spider toxins have been shown to interfere with the voltage-driven activation process of mammalian Nav channels, possibly by interacting with one or more of their voltage sensors. This review focuses on our existing knowledge of the mechanism by which spider toxins affect Nav channel gating and the possible applications of these toxins in the drug discovery process.