Poisons in the Lab Flashcards
What is the use of picrotoxin in the lab?
Blocks transient GABAa receptor activity, especially when making patch-clamp recordings in studies of synaptic plasticity.
What is the mechanism of action of strychnine?
Direct antagonism of glycine receptors in the spinal cord.
What are Renshaw cells?
Inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord, which are largely activated by ACh released through feedback from motor neurons. Work via release of glycine.
How is pertussis toxin produced?
Protein synthesised and released by the bacteria Bordella pertussis.
How is the pertussis toxin used in the lab?
To isolate GP-dependent and independent signalling pathways. To see in more detail what second-messenger systems are involved in cellular processes.
What is the mechanism of action of tetraethylammonium (TEA)?
Potent blocker of voltage-gated potassium channels.
What is the mechanism of action of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)?
Blocker of voltage-gated potassium channels. Can be used to overcome TTX blockade of action potentials.
How are pore-forming antibiotics and antifungals used in the lab?
Used inside patch-clamp electrodes to make recordings without disturbing intracellular signalling pathways.
How is cycloheximide used in the lab?
Inhibits protein synthesis in a range of experiments and assays. Can be used to determine the half-life of expressed proteins.
