Mapping the receptor site for charybdotoxin, a pore-blocking potassium channel inhibitor

Neuron. 1990 Dec;5(6):767-71. doi: 10.1016/0896-6273(90)90335-d.

Abstract

The Shaker K+ channel belongs to a family of structurally related voltage-activated cation channels that play a central role in cellular electrical signaling. By studying multiple site-directed mutants of the Shaker K+ channel, a region that forms the binding site for a pore-blocking scorpion toxin has been identified. The region contains a sequence that is highly conserved among cloned K+ channels and may contribute to the formation of the ion conduction pore.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Charybdotoxin
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Electrophysiology
  • Female
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Potassium Channels / chemistry
  • Potassium Channels / genetics*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Scorpion Venoms / metabolism*
  • Scorpion Venoms / pharmacology
  • Transfection
  • Xenopus

Substances

  • Potassium Channels
  • Scorpion Venoms
  • Charybdotoxin