Calliotoxin is a

venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...

produced only by the blue coral snake of

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

. Calliotoxin is a short-chained

neurotoxin Neurotoxins are toxins that are destructive to nerve tissue (causing neurotoxicity). Neurotoxins are an extensive class of exogenous chemical neurological insultsSpencer 2000 that can adversely affect function in both developing and mature ner ...

that causes the victim's

sodium channel Sodium channels are integral membrane proteins that form ion channels, conducting sodium ions (Na+) through a cell's membrane. They belong to the superfamily of cation channels and can be classified according to the trigger that opens the channel ...

s to have delayed inactivation, causing them to remain open. This causes all of the neurons to fire at once and producing complete physical paralysis and a rapid death. There is no known antidote, though it is hoped that the venom may eventually become useful in creating painkillers for the management of chronic pain in humans.

References

{{reflist Neurotoxins Sodium channel blockers Snake toxins