Electronic Resource
Oxford, UK
:
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
FEMS microbiology letters
105 (1992), S. 0
ISSN:
1574-6968
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract A toxin that causes a massive presynaptic activation of transmitter release from nerve terminals is α-latrotoxin, isolated from Latrodectus tredecimguttatus spider venom. This toxin has been highly purified, utilizing as a biological assay a toxin-dependent increase in 45Ca2+-accumulation by PC12 cells. The purification protocol includes an ion-exchange step and a gel-filtration column, by fast-flow liquid chromatography. The resulting toxin is a polypeptide of about 125 kDa in molecular mass. At nmol concentrations it specifically activates calcium influx and transmitter secretion after interacting with neuronal acceptors of the presynaptic membrane. The inhibitory effect of trivalent ions (which may develop as degradation product of 45Ca2+) on toxin-dependent calcium accumulation by PC12 cells is described. The results obtained suggest that calcium fluxes directly involved in the neurosecretory event, may occur through newly formed toxin-dependent channels.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.1992.tb05895.x
Permalink
Library |
Location |
Call Number |
Volume/Issue/Year |
Availability |