Neurotoxins And Venoms

Question 1

What does venom contain/do?

Answer 1

Polypeptides/proteins and has a molecular effect, especially on ion channels

Question 2

What is Ouabain?

Answer 2

It is an alkaloid that comes from tropical plants and foxgloves

Question 3

What does ouabain do?

Answer 3

Blocks ATPase site on the sodium potassium pump

It is a slow acting toxin, acts 3-10 mins on humans

Question 4

What is Tetrodotoxin (TTX)?

Answer 4

It is found in pufferfish and a lot more animals and is made by bacteria

Question 5

What does TTX do?

Answer 5

Binds to the entrance of the voltage gated sodium channel extremely strongly, leaves potassium currents unaffected

Question 6

What is Atracotoxin and what does it do?

Answer 6

It comes from the funnel web spider and causes sodium channel inactivation

Question 7

What is Tetraethylammonium (TEA) and what does it do?

Answer 7

Specifically targets the voltage gated potassium channels

Question 8

What are the three types of conotoxins and what do they do?

Answer 8

Alpha-conotoxin: sticks to the acetylcholine receptor, affects communication between muscle cells
My-conotoxins: affect the muscle by v gated sodium channels
Omega-conotoxins: affect the v gated calcium channels

Question 9

What does botulinum toxin (Botox) do?

Answer 9

Blocks exocytosis of neurotransmitter

Question 10

What is strychnine and what does it do?

Answer 10

Found in a widespread tropical plant and blocks glycine receptors and inhibits synapses

Question 11

What does serine do?

Answer 11

Interferes with acetylcholinesterase