The First Recombinant Viper Three-Finger Toxins: Inhibition of Muscle and Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Dokl Biochem Biophys. 2018 Mar;479(1):127-130. doi: 10.1134/S1607672918020205. Epub 2018 May 19.

Abstract

Genes encoding two three-finger toxins TFT-AF and TFT-VN, nucleotide sequences of which were earlier determined by cloning cDNA from venom glands of vipers Azemiops feae and Vipera nikolskii, respectively, were expressed for the first time in E. coli cells. The biological activity of these toxins was studied by electrophysiological techniques, calcium imaging, and radioligand analysis. It was shown for the first time that viper three-finger toxins are antagonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of neuronal and muscle type.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Muscles / cytology
  • Muscles / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Toxins, Biological / genetics
  • Toxins, Biological / metabolism*
  • Viperidae / genetics*

Substances

  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Toxins, Biological