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Charybdotoxin
 
 
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Charybdotoxin (CTX) is a 37 amino acid
Amino acid

In chemistry, an amino acid is a molecule containing both amine and carboxyl functional groups. These molecules are particularly important in biochemistry, where this term refers to alpha-amino acids with the general formula H2NCHRCOOH, where R is an organic substituent....
 neurotoxin
Neurotoxin

A neurotoxin is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells , usually by interacting with membrane proteins such as ion channels.Some sources are more general, and define the effect of neurotoxins as occurring at nerve tissue....
 from the venom of the scorpion
Scorpion

Scorpions are any arachnid of the order Scorpionida. They are members of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida. There are about 2,000 species of scorpions, found widely distributed south of about Latitude, except New Zealand and Antarctica....
 Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus
Deathstalker

The deathstalker , is a species of scorpion, a member of the Buthidae family . It is also known as Omdurman scorpion, Israeli desert scorpion and numerous other colloquial names, which generally originate from the commercial captive trade of the animal....
 that blocks calcium-activated potassium channels. This blockade causes hyperexcitability of the nervous system.

pions such as the deathstalker
Deathstalker

The deathstalker , is a species of scorpion, a member of the Buthidae family . It is also known as Omdurman scorpion, Israeli desert scorpion and numerous other colloquial names, which generally originate from the commercial captive trade of the animal....
 paralyse their prey by injecting a potent mix of peptide toxins. Charybdotoxin (CTX), a 37 amino acid neurotoxin, is one of the peptide toxins that can be extracted from the venom of the scorpion.






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Charybdotoxin (CTX) is a 37 amino acid
Amino acid

In chemistry, an amino acid is a molecule containing both amine and carboxyl functional groups. These molecules are particularly important in biochemistry, where this term refers to alpha-amino acids with the general formula H2NCHRCOOH, where R is an organic substituent....
 neurotoxin
Neurotoxin

A neurotoxin is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells , usually by interacting with membrane proteins such as ion channels.Some sources are more general, and define the effect of neurotoxins as occurring at nerve tissue....
 from the venom of the scorpion
Scorpion

Scorpions are any arachnid of the order Scorpionida. They are members of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida. There are about 2,000 species of scorpions, found widely distributed south of about Latitude, except New Zealand and Antarctica....
 Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus
Deathstalker

The deathstalker , is a species of scorpion, a member of the Buthidae family . It is also known as Omdurman scorpion, Israeli desert scorpion and numerous other colloquial names, which generally originate from the commercial captive trade of the animal....
 that blocks calcium-activated potassium channels. This blockade causes hyperexcitability of the nervous system.

Chemical properties

Scorpions such as the deathstalker
Deathstalker

The deathstalker , is a species of scorpion, a member of the Buthidae family . It is also known as Omdurman scorpion, Israeli desert scorpion and numerous other colloquial names, which generally originate from the commercial captive trade of the animal....
 paralyse their prey by injecting a potent mix of peptide toxins. Charybdotoxin (CTX), a 37 amino acid neurotoxin, is one of the peptide toxins that can be extracted from the venom of the scorpion. Its structure is very similar to that of margatoxin
Margatoxin

Margatoxin is a Kv1.3 voltage-dependent potassium channel-blocking toxic peptide found in the venom of the South American scorpion Centruroides margaritatus....
. Charybdotoxin contains three disulfide bridges.

Mode of action

Charybdotoxin occludes the pore of calcium-activated voltage-gated K+ channels by binding to one of four independent, overlapping binding sites. It binds both to the open and the closed states. In addition, the block is enhanced as the ionic strength is lowered. The blockade of K+ channels by the charybdotoxin peptide causes neuronal hyperexcitability.

Treatment

Anti-scorpion venom serum (AScVS) is an effective and safe method of therapy in severe scorpion envenoming syndrome. Compared with other therapies like alpha blockers it has a relatively short recovery period (10 vs 16-42 hours).