Current views on scorpion toxins specific for K+-channels.

摘要: Much of our knowledge on K+-channels was elucidated using specific peptide ligands isolated from a number venomous organisms. Recently, this field received strong support and increased interest due to the solution three-dimensional structure couple K+-channels. At same time, several new subfamilies toxins for were scorpion venoms, enhancing availability diversity such useful molecular tools. It opened lines research better understanding K+-channel biophysics pharmacology. In review, we listed 120 amino acid sequences peptides venoms. They demonstrated or assumed be These aligned used generate rooted phylogenetic tree. The evolutionary tree indicates that clusters divergent show preference subtypes channels. structures representative examples these drawn analysed concerning fitness their interactions with channel targets. Four different interacting modes identified exist between various