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Scorpions In Culture
Humans use scorpions both practically, for medicine, food, and pets, and symbolically, whether as gods, to ward off harm, or to associate a product or business with the evident power of the small but deadly animal. Practical uses Medicine Short-chain scorpion toxins constitute the largest group of potassium (K+) channel-blocking peptides. An important physiological role of the KCNA3 channel, also known as KV1.3, is to help maintain large electrical gradients for the sustained transport of ions such as Ca2+ that controls T lymphocyte (T cell) proliferation. Thus KV1.3 blockers could be potential immunosuppressants for the treatment of autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis). The venom of ''Uroplectes lineatus'' is clinically important in dermatology. Several scorpion venom toxins have been investigated for medical use. Chlorotoxin from the Deathstalker , deathstalker scorpion (''Leiurus quinquestriatus''); the toxin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chlorotoxin
Chlorotoxin is a 36-amino acid peptide found in the venom of the Deathstalker, deathstalker scorpion (''Leiurus quinquestriatus'') which blocks small-conductance chloride channels. The fact that chlorotoxin binds preferentially to glioma cells has allowed the development of methods for the treatment and diagnosis of several types of cancer. Sources Chlorotoxin can be purified from crude leiurus, which belongs to the scorpion toxin protein Superfamily (proteins), superfamily. Chemistry Chlorotoxin is a small toxin and at pH 7 is highly positively charged. It is a peptide consisting of 36 amino acids, with 8 cysteines forming 4 disulfide bonds. Chlorotoxin has a considerable sequence homology to the class of small insect toxin, insectotoxins. Target Chlorotoxin is the first reported high-affinity peptide ligand for Cl− channels and it blocks small conductance chloride channels. Each chloride channel can be closed by only one ligand molecule. Using a recombinant chloroto ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
