Inhibition of beta-bungarotoxin binding to brain membranes by mast cell degranulating peptide, toxin I, and ethylene glycol bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid

Proteomic Profiling of Venoms from Bungarus suzhenae and B. bungaroides: Enzymatic Activities and Toxicity Assessment

Kraits are venomous snakes of the genus Bungarus from the family Elapidae. Their venom typically demonstrates neurotoxicity; however, the toxicity is significantly influenced by the snake's species and geographical origin. Among the Bungarus species, Bungarus suzhenae and B. bungaroides have been poorly studied, with little to no information available regarding their venom composition. In this study, a proteomic approach was employed using LC-MS/MS to identify proteins from trypsin-digested peptides. The analysis revealed 102 venom-related proteins from 18 distinct functional protein families in the venom of B. suzhenae, with the primary components being three-finger toxins (3-FTx, 25.84%), phospholipase A2 (PLA2, 40.29%), L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO, 10.33%), Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors (KUN, 9.48%), and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs, 6.13%). In the venom of B. bungaroides, 99 proteins from 17 families were identified, with primary components being 3-FTx (33.87%), PLA2 (37.91%), LAAO (4.21%), and KUN (16.60%). Enzymatic activity assays confirmed the presence of key venom enzymes. Additionally, the LD50 values for B. suzhenae and B. bungaroides were 0.0133 μg/g and 0.752 μg/g, respectively, providing a reference for toxicity studies of these two species. This research elucidates the proteomic differences in the venoms of these two species, offering a foundation for developing antivenoms and clinical treatments for envenomation.

Proteomics and neutralization of Bungarus multicinctus (Many-banded Krait) venom: Intra-specific comparisons between specimens from China and Taiwan

The Many-banded Krait (Bungarus multicinctus) is a medically important venomous snake in East Asia. This study investigated the venom proteomes of B. multicinctus from Guangdong, southern China (BM-China) and insular Taiwan (BM-Taiwan), and the neutralization activities of two antivenom products (produced separately in China and Taiwan) against the lethal effect of the venoms. The venom proteomes of both specimens contained similar toxin families, notwithstanding small variations in the subtypes and abundances of minor components. More than 90% of the total venom proteins belong to three-finger toxins (3FTx, including alpha-neurotoxins) and phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂, including beta-bungarotoxins), supporting their key involvement in the pathophysiology of krait envenomation which manifests as pre- and post-synaptic neurotoxicity. The venoms exhibited potent neurotoxic and lethal effects with extremely low i.v. LD₅₀ of 0.027 μg/g (Bm-China) and 0.087 μg/g (Bm-Taiwan), respectively, in mice. Bungarus multicinctus monovalent antivenom (BMMAV) produced in China and Neuro bivalent antivenom (NBAV) produced in Taiwan were immunoreactive toward both venoms and their toxin fractions. The antivenoms neutralized the venom lethality variably, with BMMAV being more efficacious than NBAV by approximately two-fold. Findings suggest that the monovalent antivenom has a higher potency presumably due to its species-specificity toward the krait venom.

Secreted phospholipases A2 of snake venoms: effects on the peripheral neuromuscular system with comments on the role of phospholipases A2 in disorders of the CNS and their uses in industry

Neuro- and myotoxicological signs and symptoms are significant clinical features of envenoming snakebites in many parts of the world. The toxins primarily responsible for the neuro and myotoxicity fall into one of two categories--those that bind to and block the post-synaptic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) at the neuromuscular junction and neurotoxic phospholipases A2 (PLAs) that bind to and hydrolyse membrane phospholipids of the motor nerve terminal (and, in most cases, the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle) to cause degeneration of the nerve terminal and skeletal muscle. This review provides an introduction to the biochemical properties of secreted sPLA2s in the venoms of many dangerous snakes and a detailed discussion of their role in the initiation of the neurologically important consequences of snakebite. The rationale behind the experimental studies on the pharmacology and toxicology of the venoms and isolated PLAs in the venoms is discussed, with particular reference to the way these studies allow one to understand the biological basis of the clinical syndrome. The review also introduces the involvement of PLAs in inflammatory and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and their commercial use in the food industry. It concludes with an introduction to the problems associated with the use of antivenoms in the treatment of neuro-myotoxic snakebite and the search for alternative treatments.

Protease inhibitors from marine venomous animals and their counterparts in terrestrial venomous animals

The Kunitz-type protease inhibitors are the best-characterized family of serine protease inhibitors, probably due to their abundance in several organisms. These inhibitors consist of a chain of ~60 amino acid residues stabilized by three disulfide bridges, and was first observed in the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI)-like protease inhibitors, which strongly inhibit trypsin and chymotrypsin. In this review we present the protease inhibitors (PIs) described to date from marine venomous animals, such as from sea anemone extracts and Conus venom, as well as their counterparts in terrestrial venomous animals, such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, Anurans, and Hymenopterans. More emphasis was given to the Kunitz-type inhibitors, once they are found in all these organisms. Their biological sources, specificity against different proteases, and other molecular blanks (being also K⁺ channel blockers) are presented, followed by their molecular diversity. Whereas sea anemone, snakes and other venomous animals present mainly Kunitz-type inhibitors, PIs from Anurans present the major variety in structure length and number of Cys residues, with at least six distinguishable classes. A representative alignment of PIs from these venomous animals shows that, despite eventual differences in Cys assignment, the key-residues for the protease inhibitory activity in all of them occupy similar positions in primary sequence. The key-residues for the K⁺ channel blocking activity was also compared.

The nociceptive and anti-nociceptive effects of bee venom injection and therapy: a double-edged sword

Bee venom injection as a therapy, like many other complementary and alternative medicine approaches, has been used for thousands of years to attempt to alleviate a range of diseases including arthritis. More recently, additional theraupeutic goals have been added to the list of diseases making this a critical time to evaluate the evidence for the beneficial and adverse effects of bee venom injection. Although reports of pain reduction (analgesic and antinociceptive) and anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom injection are accumulating in the literature, it is common knowledge that bee venom stings are painful and produce inflammation. In addition, a significant number of studies have been performed in the past decade highlighting that injection of bee venom and components of bee venom produce significant signs of pain or nociception, inflammation and many effects at multiple levels of immediate, acute and prolonged pain processes. This report reviews the extensive new data regarding the deleterious effects of bee venom injection in people and animals, our current understanding of the responsible underlying mechanisms and critical venom components, and provides a critical evaluation of reports of the beneficial effects of bee venom injection in people and animals and the proposed underlying mechanisms. Although further studies are required to make firm conclusions, therapeutic bee venom injection may be beneficial for some patients, but may also be harmful. This report highlights key patterns of results, critical shortcomings, and essential areas requiring further study.

Lys-64 of the A chain is involved in the enzymatic activity and neurotoxic effect of β-bungarotoxin

Two beta-bungarotoxin isotoxins BM12 and BM13 were isolated from Bungarus multicinctus (Taiwan banded krait) venom by sequential chromatography on ion-exchange and reverse phase columns. The two toxins have the same A chain, but different B chains. Different phospholipase A2 activity and different potencies in inhibiting the spontaneous enhancement of spontaneous synaptic current frequency and muscle contraction were observed for BM12 and BM13. Nevertheless, modification of Lys-64 in the A chain of BM12 and BM13 similarly reduced in their phospholipase A2 activity and toxicity. The modified derivatives retained their affinity with Ca2+ and their conformation as deduced by CD. These results suggest that Lys-64 of the A chain is involved in the phospholipase A2 activity and in the neurotoxic effect of beta-bungarotoxin.

Both A chain and B chain of β-bungarotoxin are functionally involved in the facilitation of spontaneous transmitter release in Xenopus nerve–muscle cultures

In the present study, Xenopus nerve-muscle cultures were used to explore the functional roles of A chain (a phospholipase A(2) subunit) and B chain (a non-phospholipase A(2) subunit) of Bungarus multicinctus beta-bungarotoxin. It was found that beta-bungarotoxin induced an increment of the frequency of spontaneous synaptic currents (SSCs) in the nerve-muscle cultures. Modification of beta-bungarotoxin with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate or substitution of Ca(2+) with Ba(2+) in buffer abolished the phospholipase A(2) activity of beta-bungarotoxin and the facilitatory phase of SSC as well. Antibodies that were directed specifically against A chain or B chain effectively inhibited phospholipase A(2) activity, and as a consequence the SSC frequency was not greatly different from the control rate. These results suggest that both A and B chains are indispensable parts of beta-bungarotoxin for inducing the facilitation of SSC frequency with Xenopus nerve-muscle cultures.

Genetic organization of A chain and B chain of beta-bungarotoxin from Taiwan banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus). A chain genes and B chain genes do not share a common origin

beta-Bungarotoxin, the main presynaptic neurotoxin purified from the venom of Bungarus multicinctus, consists of two dissimilar polypeptide chains, the A chain and the B chain, cross-linked by an interchain disulfide bond. In this study, A and B chain genes isolated from the liver of B. multicinctus encoded the A and B chain precursors, respectively. Analyses of the coding regions of the A and B chain genes revealed that both consist of three exons and two introns. The sequences of all exon/intron junctions agree with the GT/AG rule. However, sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis did not support that the evolution of A and B chain genes are closely related. Comparative analysis of A chain genes with Viperinae and Crotalinae phospholipase A2 genes indicated that genetic divergence of the A chain and phospholipase A2s was in accordance with their family. Moreover, evolutionary divergence of the intron and exon regions of the A chain, as observed for phospholipase A2 genes, was not consistent. Noticeably, the transcription of A and B chain genes may be regulated under different transcription factors as revealed by analyses of their promoter sequences. In terms of the finding that A and B chains are encoded separately by different genes, this strongly supports the view that the intact beta-bungarotoxin molecules should be derived from the pairing of A and B chains after their mRNAs are translated.

Cloning and functional expression of B chains of beta-bungarotoxins from Bungarus multicinctus (Taiwan banded krait)

The cDNA species encoding the B chains (B1 and B2) of beta-bungarotoxins (beta-Bgt) were constructed from the cellular RNA isolated from the venom glands of Bungarus multicinctus (Taiwan banded krait). The deduced amino acid sequences of the B chains were different from those determined previously by a protein sequencing technique. One additional Arg residue is inserted between Val-19 and Arg-20 of the B1 chain. Similarly the insertion of one additional Val residue between Val-19 and Arg-20 of the B2 chain is noted. Thus the B chains should comprise 61 amino acid residues. Moreover, the residues at positions 44-46 are Gly-Asn-His, in contrast with a previous result showing the sequence His-Gly-Asn. Instead of Asp, the residues at positions 41 and 43 are Asn. The B chain was subcloned into the expression vector pET-32a(+) and transformed into Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3). The recombinant B chain was expressed as a fusion protein and purified on a His-Bind resin column. The yield of affinity-purified fusion protein was increased markedly by replacing Cys-55 of the B chain with Ser. However, the isolated B(C55S) chain became insoluble in aqueous solution after removal of the fused protein from the affinity-purified product, suggesting that protein-protein interactions might be crucial for stabilizing the structure of the B chain. The B(C55S) chain fusion protein showed activity in blocking the voltage-dependent K+ channel, but did not inhibit the binding of beta-Bgt to synaptosomal membranes. These results, together with the finding that modification of His-48 of the A chain of beta-Bgt caused a marked decrease in the ability to bind toxin to its acceptor proteins, suggest that the B chain is involved in the K+ channel blocking action observed with beta-Bgt, and that the binding of beta-Bgt to neuronal receptors is not heavily dependent on the B chain.

cDNA sequence analysis and mutagenesis studies on the A chain of beta-bungarotoxin from Taiwan banded krait

The cDNA encoding the A chain of beta-bungarotoxin (beta-Bgt) was constructed from the cellular RNA isolated from the venom glands of Bungarus multicinctus (Taiwan banded krait). The deduced amino acid sequence encoding the A chain revealed that the determined chain was different from the known A chains (A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5). Nevertheless, the amino acid sequence and the cDNA sequence of the novel A chain were highly homologous with those of other A chains. The gene encoding the A chain of beta-Bgt was subjected to mutagenesis, and the Tyr-11, Cys-15, and Leu-72 of the A chain were substituted by Cys-11, Ser-15, and Cys-72, respectively. Instead of the six disulfide bonds observed with the A chain, the resulting mutant contained seven disulfide linkages in its molecular structure which simulated those of presynaptic PLA2 neurotoxins and PLA2 enzymes. However, the mutant did not exhibit a higher phospholipase activity than that noted with the recombinant A chain. These results seem to suggest that, in the absence of the B chain, the six pairs of disulfide bonds in the recombinant A-chain molecule are enough to maintain its active conformation for exerting the phospholipase activity.

Molecular properties of voltage-gated K+ channels

Subfamilies of voltage-activated K+ channels (Kv1-4) contribute to controlling neuron excitability and the underlying functional parameters. Genes encoding the multiple alpha subunits from each of these protein groups have been cloned, expressed and the resultant distinct K+ currents characterized. The predicted amino acid sequences showed that each alpha subunit contains six putative membrane-spanning alpha-helical segments (S1-6), with one (S4) being deemed responsible for the channels' voltage sensing. Additionally, there is an H5 region, of incompletely defined structure, that traverses the membrane and forms the ion pore; residues therein responsible for K+ selectively have been identified. Susceptibility of certain K+ currents produced by the Shaker-related subfamily (Kv1) to inhibition by alpha-dendrotoxin has allowed purification of authentic K+ channels from mammalian brain. These are large (M(r) approximately 400 kD), octomeric sialoglycoproteins composed of alpha and beta subunits in a stoichiometry of (alpha)4(beta)4, with subtypes being created by combinations of subunit isoforms. Subsequent cloning of the genes for beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3 subunits revealed novel sequences for these hydrophilic proteins that are postulated to be associated with the alpha subunits on the inner side of the membrane. Coexpression of beta 1 and Kv1.4 subunits demonstrated that this auxiliary beta protein accelerates the inactivation of the K+ current, a striking effect mediate by an N-terminal moiety. Models are presented that indicate the functional domains pinpointed in the channel proteins.

Effects on behaviour and EEG of single chain phospholipases A2 from snake and bee venoms injected into rat brain: search for a functional antagonism

Three phospholipase A2 (PLA2s), OS1 and OS1 purified from the taipan snake venom Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus and bee venom PLA2 were injected to rats by the intracerebroventricular route. OS1 showed no sign of neurotoxicity at doses at which OS2 and bee venom PLA2 produced multiform dose-dependent behavioural effects including motor disturbances (stereotyped movements), compulsive scratching, convulsions and breathing difficulties. EEG recordings showed at the very time when the animal was motionless the induction of several episodes of a low frequency hippocampal theta rhythm, index of long-term changes in synaptic neuroplasticity. Spike-wave discharges were also produced but the occurrence was not systematic. These seizures were often accompanied with behavioural convulsions. Blockers of NMDA receptors and drugs modifying the GABAergic transmission could not abolish the neurotoxic effects of PLA2s except for diazepam (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) that prevented only OS2-induced disturbances. Blockers of L-type Ca2+ channels and K+ channel openers were also without effect. The toxicity of OS2 and bee venom PLA2 is probably due to their initial specific binding to their neuronal receptor sites.

Kalicludines and kaliseptine. Two different classes of sea anemone toxins for voltage sensitive K+ channels

New peptides have been isolated from the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata which inhibit competitively the binding of 125I-dendrotoxin I (a classical ligand for K+ channel) to rat brain membranes and behave as blockers of voltage-sensitive K+ channels. Sea anemone kalicludines are 58-59-amino acid peptides cross-linked with three disulfide bridges. They are structurally homologous both to dendrotoxins which are snake venom toxins and to the basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz inhibitor) and have the unique property of expressing both the function of dendrotoxins in blocking voltage-sensitive K+ channels and the function of the Kunitz inhibitor in inhibiting trypsin. Kaliseptine is another structural class of peptide comprising 36 amino acids with no sequence homology with kalicludines or with dendrotoxins. In spite of this structural difference, it binds to the same receptor site as dendrotoxin and kalicludines and is as efficient as a K+ channel inhibitor as the most potent kalicludine.

Characterization of a potassium channel toxin from the Caribbean Sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus

A peptide toxin, ShK, that blocks voltage-dependent potassium channels was isolated from the whole body extract of the Caribbean sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. It competes with dendrotoxin I and alpha-dendrotoxin for binding to synaptosomal membranes of rat brain, facilities acetylcholine release at an avian neuromuscular junction and suppresses K+ currents in rat dorsal root ganglion neurones in culture. Its amino acid sequence is R1SCIDTIPKS10RCTAFQCKHS20MKYRLSFCRK30TCGTC35. There is no homology with other K+ channel-blocking peptides, except for BgK from the sea anemone Bunodosoma granulifera. ShK and BgK appear to be in a different structural class from other toxins affecting K+ channels.

The essentiality of B chain in stabilizing the structure of the A chain in beta 1-bungarotoxin from Bungarus multicinctus venom

The dynamic of Trp residue in beta 1-bungarotoxin (beta 1-Bgt), the A chain of beta 1-Bgt and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was assessed by fluorescence measurement. Acrylamide quenching studies showed that the exposure degree of the Trp in PLA2 is higher than the Trp in beta 1-Bgt. The Trp of beta 1-Bgt had a higher accessibility for iodide, reflecting that the basic nature of the B chain might exert an attractive electrostatic force for iodide and increase the susceptibility of Trp in the A chain to iodide. Removal of the B chain of beta 1-Bgt did not significantly affect the exposure degree of Trp in the A chain. Alternatively, the polarity of the environment around the Trp and the hydrophobic character of ANS and substrate binding sites in the separated A chain changed. Measurement of Trp fluorescence with increasing temperature showed that the stability of structure of beta 1-Bgt was higher than those of the separated A chain and PLA2. These results suggest that the B chain might interact with the A chain and stabilize the conformation of the A chain in beta 1-Bgt.

Separation and characterization of the A chain and B chain in beta 1-bungarotoxin from Bungarus multicinctus (Taiwan banded krait) venom

The interchain disulfide bond between A chain and B chain of beta 1-bungarotoxin (beta 1-Bgt) was selectively cleaved by dithiothreitol, and the A and B chains were separated by HPLC. The separated A and B chains did not show detectable enzymatic activity and lethal toxicity, but exhibited an immunoreactivity with anti-beta 1-Bgt antibody. Analytical isoelectrofocusing revealed that the A chain is a neutral subunit with pI = 7.4, and the B chain is a basic one with pI = 9.6. The A chain exhibited a Ca(2+)-binding ability as revealed by fluorescence measurement. Moreover, fluorescence studies showed that the intact interchain disulfide bond is essential for maintaining the hydrophobic character of substrate binding site in beta 1-Bgt and stabilizing the architectural environment of Trp-19 in the A chain. However, combination of the A chain and B chain failed to restore the biological activities and physiochemical properties which the intact beta 1-Bgt possessed. These, together with our previous result that the Trp-19 of the A chain is involved in substrate binding, suggest that the integrity of the interchain disulfide bond favors the maintenance of the active conformation of beta 1-Bgt.

K+ channel involvement in induction of synaptic enhancement by mast cell degranulating (MCD) peptide

A bee venom, mast cell degranulating peptide (MCD), which induces long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission in hippocampal slices, was found to possess multiple functions. They include (1) binding and thereby inhibiting a voltage-dependent K(+)-channel in brain membranes, (2) incorporation in a lipid bilayer to form voltage-dependent and cation-selective channels by itself, and (3) activation of a pertussis toxin (Ptx)-sensitive GTP-binding proteins. In this study, we prepared several derivatives and analogues of MCD and investigated which function is more closely related to the induction of LTP. Another bee venom, apamin, formed ion channels in a lipid bilayer which were indistinguishable from those formed by MCD. D-MCD, an optical isomer of MCD, activated a Ptx-sensitive GTP-binding protein. However, these peptides did not induce LTP in the hippocampal slices. A snake venom, dendrotoxin-I (DTX-I), bound to the same K(+)-channels as MCD and did induce LTP. These results suggest that the most potent aspect of MCD involved in LTP inducibility is its interaction with the voltage-dependent K(+)-channel.

Anti-presynaptic membrane receptor antibodies in myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is considered as an autoimmune disease of neuromuscular junction resulting from antibodies directed to acetylcholine receptors (AChR). We describe the use of beta-bungarotoxin (beta-BuTx) and alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BuTx) to capture their corresponding proteins from preparation of crude human muscle receptor. beta-BuTx binds to presynaptic membrane receptor (PsmR) of the whole receptor fraction, while alpha-BuTx binds to AchR. The captured proteins were used as antigen in ELISA to detect antibodies to PsmR and to AchR in sera from 82 Chinese patients with MG and in controls. In MG, antibodies to PsmR only were detected in 13%, to AchR only in 11% and both to PsmR and AchR in 54%. Only 3 of 50 patients with other neurological diseases and none of 50 healthy subjects had these antibodies. Specificity tests for antibodies showed that the detection systems which we used are specific and confident. No correlation was found between antibody levels and clinical status. The significance of the PsmR antibodies in the pathogenesis of MG is unknown. We suggest that myasthenia gravis is not only due to damage of the postsynaptic membrane, but of presynaptic structures as well.

Characterisation of binding sites for delta-dendrotoxin in guinea-pig synaptosomes: relationship to acceptors for the K+-channel probe alpha-dendrotoxin

With use of biologically active 125I-labelled delta-dendrotoxin, a putative K+-channel ligand, homogeneous, noninteracting, high-affinity acceptors (KD = 0.32 +/- 0.07 nM; Bmax = 0.33 +/- 0.04 pmol/mg) were observed in synaptosomes from guinea-pig cortex. This binding was antagonised noncompetitively by alpha-dendrotoxin, an inhibitor of certain fast-activating, voltage-gated K+ channels. Chemical cross-linking of the delta-dendrotoxin-acceptor complex in synaptosomes yielded two specifically labeled polypeptides with molecular masses of 69 and 82 kilodaltons. Although alpha-dendrotoxin prevents the labelling of both these bands, it cross-linked only a single protein with a molecular mass of 69 kilodaltons. It is concluded that delta-dendrotoxin interacts with a distinct site on the oligomeric acceptors for alpha-dendrotoxin.

Potassium channel toxins

Many venom toxins interfere with ion channel function. Toxins, as specific, high affinity ligands, have played an important part in purifying and characterizing many ion channel proteins. Our knowledge of potassium ion channel structure is meager because until recently, no specific potassium channel toxins were known, or identified as such. This review summarizes the sudden explosion of research on potassium channel toxins that has occurred in recent years. Toxins are discussed in terms of their structure, physiological and pharmacological properties, and the characterization of toxin binding sites on different subtypes of potassium ion channels.

Potassium currents in hippocampal pyramidal cells

The hippocampal pyramidal cells provide an example of how multiple potassium (K) currents co-exist and function in central mammalian neurones. The data come from CA1 and CA3 neurones in hippocampal slices, cell cultures and acutely dissociated cells from rats and guinea-pigs. Six voltage- or calcium(Ca)-dependent K currents have so far been described in CA1 pyramidal cells in slices. Four of them (IA, ID, IK, IM) are activated by depolarization alone; the two others (IC, IAHP) are activated by voltage-dependent influx of Ca ions (IC may be both Ca- and voltage-gated). In addition, a transient Ca-dependent K current (ICT) has been described in certain preparations, but it is not yet clear whether it is distinct from IC and IA. (1) IA activates fast (within 10 ms) and inactivates rapidly (time constant typically 15-50 ms) at potentials positive to -60 mV; it probably contributes to early spike-repolarization, it can delay the first spike for about 0.1 s, and may regulate repetitive firing. (2) ID activates within about 20 ms but inactivates slowly (seconds) below the spike threshold (-90 to -60 mV), causing a long delay (0.5-5 s) in the onset of firing. Due to its slow recovery from inactivation (seconds), separate depolarizing inputs can be "integrated". ID probably also participates in spike repolarization. (3) IK activates slowly (time constant, tau, 20-60 ms) in response to depolarizations positive to -40 mV and inactivates (tau about 5s) at -80 to -40 mV; it probably participates in spike repolarization. (4) IM activates slowly (tau about 50 ms) positive to -60 mV and does not inactivate; it tends to attenuate excitatory inputs, it reduces the firing rate during maintained depolarization (adaptation) and contributes to the medium after-hyperpolarization (mAHP); IM is suppressed by acetylcholine (via muscarinic receptors), but may be enhanced by somatostatin. (5) IC is activated by influx of Ca ions during the action potential and is thought to cause the final spike repolarization and the fast AHP (although ICT may be involved). Like IM, it also contributes to the medium AHP and early adaptation. It differs from IAHP by being sensitive to tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mM), but insensitive to noradrenaline and muscarine. Large-conductance (BK; about 200 pS) Ca-activated K channels, which may mediate IC, have been recorded. (6) IAHP is slowly activated by Ca-influx during action potentials, causing spike-frequency adaptation and the slow AHP. Thus, IAHP exerts a strong negative feedback control of discharge activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A K+ channel in Xenopus nerve fibres selectively blocked by bee and snake toxins: binding and voltage-clamp experiments

1. The effects of mast cell degranulating peptide (MCDP), a toxin from the honey bee, and of dendrotoxin (DTX), a toxin from the green mamba snake, were studied in voltage-clamp experiments with myelinated nerve fibres of Xenopus. 2. MCDP and DTX blocked part of the K+ current. About 20% of the K+ current, however, was resistant to the toxins even in high concentrations. In Ringer solution half-maximal block was reached with concentrations of 33 nM-MCDP and 11 nM-DTX. In high-K+ solution the potency of both toxins was lower. beta-Bungarotoxin (beta-BuTX), another snake toxin, also blocked part of the K+ current, but was less potent than MCDP and DTX. 3. Tail currents in high-K+ solution were analysed and three K+ current components were separated according to Dubois (1981 b). Both MCDP and DTX selectively blocked a fast deactivating, slowly inactivating K+ current component which steeply activates between E = -60 mV and E = -40 mV (component f1). In concentrations around 100 nM, MCDP and DTX blocked neither the slow K+ current (component s) nor the fast deactivating, rapidly inactivating K+ current which activates between E = -40 mV and E = 20 mV (component f2). Similar results could be derived from K+ outward currents in Ringer solution. In high-K+, IC50 of MCDP for component f1 was 99 nM, whereas it was 7.6 microM for f2. Corresponding values for DTX are 68 nM and 1.8 microM. 4. Binding studies with nerve fibre membranes of Xenopus reveal high-affinity binding sites for 125I-labelled DTX (KD = 22 pM in Ringer solution and 81 pM in high-K+ solution). 125I-labelled DTX can be displaced from its sites completely by unlabelled DTX, toxin I (black mamba toxin), MCDP, and partially by beta-BuTX. 5. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrates that binding sites for DTX are present in nodal and paranodal regions of the axonal membrane. 6. The axonal membrane of motor and sensory nerve fibres is equipped with three types of well-characterized K+ channels and constitutes so far the best preparation to study MCDP- and DTX-sensitive K+ channels with electrophysiological and biochemical methods.

Cross-linking of beta-bungarotoxin to chick brain membranes. Identification of subunits of a putative voltage-gated K+ channel

beta-Bungarotoxin (beta-Butx), a presynaptically active neurotoxin from snake venom, is thought to bind to a subtype of voltage-gated K+ channels. 125I-beta-Butx was cross-linked to its high-affinity binding site in membrane fractions from chick brain by using the bivalent reagents 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethyl-amino)propyl]carbodiimide and sulfosuccinimidyl 6-[(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]hexanoate. Two major adducts of apparent Mr 90,000-95,000 and 46,000-49,000 were obtained with both cross-linkers. Formation of both adducts was inhibited by the K+ channel ligands dendrotoxin I and mast cell degranulating peptide. Our data indicate that the putative beta-Butx-sensitive neuronal K+ channel contains at least two different types of subunits of about 75 and 28 kDa.

Immunological evidence for a relationship between the dendrotoxin-binding protein and the mammalian homologue of the Drosophila Shaker K+ channel

Polyclonal antibodies were raised against two synthetic peptides from different parts of the predicted amino acid sequence of the mouse homologue (MBK1) of the Drosophila Shaker K+ channel. The antibodies recognized the toxin-binding subunit of the dendrotoxin-binding proteins from rat and bovine brain. The results suggest that the dendrotoxin-binding protein is related to the expression products of the mammalian homologue of the Shaker gene.

Enzymatic deglycosylation of the dendrotoxin-binding protein

The neuronal membrane protein which binds the K+-channel ligands dendrotoxin, mast cell degranulating peptide, and beta-bungarotoxin was purified from rat brain membranes. When analysed on 10% SDS gel electrophoresis, the purified protein contained two peptides: the toxin-binding subunit of apparent Mr 90,000 and another peptide of Mr 38,000. Neuraminidase treatment reduced the Mr of the toxin-binding subunit to 70,000. Glycopeptidase F gave a further reduction to Mr 65,000. In contrast, the peptide of Mr 38,000 showed no change in Mr upon treatment with neuraminidase and/or glycopeptidase F. It is concluded that the toxin-binding subunit of the dendrotoxin-binding protein, a presumptive K+ channel, is a sialated membrane protein with a peptide core of, at most, Mr 65,000.

Dendrotoxin acceptor from bovine synaptic plasma membranes. Binding properties, purification and subunit composition of a putative constituent of certain voltage-activated K+ channels

Dendrotoxin is a snake polypeptide that blocks selectively and potently certain voltage-sensitive, fast-activating K+ channels in the nervous system, where it binds with high affinity to membranous acceptors. Herein, the acceptor protein for dendrotoxin in bovine synaptic membranes is solubilized in active form and its complete purification achieved by affinity chromatography, involving a novel elution procedure. This putative K+-channel constituent is shown to be a large oligomeric glycoprotein containing two major subunits, with Mr values of 75,000 and 37,000.

Interactions between discrete neuronal membrane binding sites for the putative K+-channel ligands beta-bungarotoxin, dendrotoxin and mast-cell-degranulating peptide

1. beta-Bungarotoxin, a presynaptically active neurotoxin from the venom of Bungarus multicinctus, was radiolabelled with 125I and its binding to synaptic membranes from rat brain was analyzed. The interaction of these binding sites with those for dendrotoxin (a convulsant polypeptide from mamba venom) and mast-cell-degranulating peptide (from bee venom) was examined in the light of the known effects of all three toxins on voltage-dependent K+ currents. 2. When measured in Krebs/phosphate buffer, the binding appeared monotonic at low concentrations of radioiodinated beta-bungarotoxin (Kd 0.4 nM; Bmax 0.42 pmol/mg protein); higher concentrations of labelled toxin revealed an additional binding component of lower affinity, but computer analysis of the data failed to provide well-defined estimates of its Kd and Bmax values. 3. Equilibrium binding experiments conducted in imidazole-based buffers yielded distinctly biphasic Scatchard plots; computer analysis of the data revealed two populations of sites [Kd 0.26 (+/- 0.30) nM and 6.14 (+/- 5.68) nM; Bmax 0.16 (+/- 0.20) and 2.65 (+/- 1.21) pmol/mg protein]. 4. In Krebs medium, beta-bungarotoxin was a very weak antagonist of the binding of 125I-labelled dendrotoxin. In imidazole medium, however, the efficacy of the inhibition was markedly increased; analysis of this inhibition showed it to be non-competitive. 5. Dendrotoxin inhibited the binding of radioiodinated beta-bungarotoxin in Krebs medium with high potency, although the interaction was by a complex, non-competitive mechanism. 6. Mast-cell-degranulating peptide inhibited non-competitively the binding of both radiolabelled dendrotoxin and beta-bungarotoxin but with relatively low potency. 7. A speculative schematic model of the dendrotoxin/beta-bungarotoxin/mast-cell-degranulating peptide binding component(s) is proposed. Findings are discussed in terms of the likely involvement of these sites with voltage-dependent K+-channel proteins.

The beta-bungarotoxin-binding protein from chick brain: binding sites for different neuronal K+ channel ligands co-fractionate upon partial purification

beta-Bungarotoxin (beta-Butx) is a presynaptically active neurotoxin which blocks neuronal A-type K+ channels. Here, the efficient solubilisation and about 300-fold purification of the beta-Butx-binding protein from chick brain were achieved by detergent extraction at high ionic strength followed by chromatography on DEAE Affigel Blue, beta-Butx Affigel 102 and wheat germ agglutinin Sepharose. Binding of 125I-labelled beta-Butx to the purified protein was inhibited by two other K+ channel ligands, dendrotoxin I and mast cell-degranulating peptide. It is concluded that the beta-Butx-binding protein is a member of a family of voltage-gated K+ channels which exhibit varying affinities for different polypeptide ligands.

Existence of different populations of the dendrotoxin I binding protein associated with neuronal K+ channels

The binding sites of dendrotoxin I, mast cell degranulating peptide, and beta-bungarotoxin are thought to be associated with neuronal K+ channels. The different binding sites seem to reside on the same molecular assembly as each toxin can allosterically inhibit the binding of the others. Affinity chromatography on a beta-BTX Aca 22 affinity column has shown that there is an heterogeneous population of dendrotoxin I binding proteins. Two subtypes were separated: DTXI binding proteins with low affinity for beta-BTX (60-70% of total) and DTXI binding proteins with high affinity for beta-BTX (30-40% of total). Binding of 125I-DTXI and 125I-MCD to the former subtype is inhibited by beta-BTX with a low affinity (IC50 = 560 nM), while inhibition at the latter subtype occurs with a high affinity (IC50 = 10-16 nM). The DTXI binding subtype with low affinity for beta-BTX contains most (85-90%) of the binding sites for 125I-MCD.

The receptor site for the bee venom mast cell degranulating peptide. Affinity labeling and evidence for a common molecular target for mast cell degranulating peptide and dendrotoxin I, a snake toxin active on K+ channels

The mast cell degranulating peptide (MCD) and dendrotoxin I (DTXI) are two toxins, one extracted from bee venom, the other one from snake venom, that are thought to act on voltage-sensitive K+ channels. Binding sites for the two toxins have been solubilized. The solubilized sites were stable and retained their high affinity for 125I-DTXI and 125I-MCD (Kd approximately equal to 100 pM). Interactions were found between MCD and DTXI binding sites in the solubilized state, establishing that the two different toxins act on the same protein complex. This conclusion was strengthened by the observations (i) that conditions of solubilization that eliminated 125I-MCD binding activity also eliminated 125I-DTX binding activity while both types of activities were preserved in the presence of K+ or Rb+ and (ii) that binding components for the two types of toxins had similar sedimentation coefficients and copurified in partial purifications. A component of the receptor protein for 125I-MCD has been identified; it has a Mr of 77,000 +/- 2000. This polypeptide was similar to or identical in molecular weight with that which serves as a receptor for DTXI (Mr 76,000 +/- 2000).