Interaction of batrachotoxinin-A benzoate with voltage-sensitive sodium channels: the effects of pH

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 1981 Dec;1(4):361-71. doi: 10.1007/BF00716271.

Abstract

The binding of labeled batrachotoxinin-A benzoate (BTX-B) to voltage-sensitive sodium channels in broken membrane preparations of mouse cerebral cortex has been measured as a function of the pH. Specific binding is negligible at pH less than 6.0, maximum at pH 8.5, and decreases again at pH 9.0. A major component of nonspecific binding, however, increases linearly in the pH range 7.0-9.0. The pKa of batrachotoxinin-A, an analogue of BTX-B, was found by titrimetric methods to be greater than or equal to 8.2. Analysis of the data shows that at least part of the pH dependence of BTX-B binding is due to the titration of a sodium channel residue(s) associated in some way with the BTX-B recognition site. The possible involvement of a histidine residue is suggested.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Batrachotoxins / metabolism*
  • Batrachotoxins / pharmacology
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mice
  • Sodium Channels / drug effects
  • Sodium Channels / metabolism*

Substances

  • Batrachotoxins
  • Sodium Channels
  • batrachotoxinin A 20-alpha-benzoate