An insect-specific toxin from Centruroides noxius Hoffmann. cDNA, primary structure, three-dimensional model and electrostatic surface potentials in comparison with other toxin variants.

摘要: Scorpion toxins acting on sodium channels differ in their specificity. Toxic peptides specific towards mammals and arthropods (insects and/or crustaceans) have been described. Because of the similar three-dimensional fold these peptides, molecular base specificity is thought to reside certain differences at level amino acid residues especially within or near binding site toxin particular ion channel. The cDNA, sequence biological activity an insect-specific toxin, Cn10, from scorpion Centruroides noxius Hoffmann reported. electrostatic potential surface around a model Cn10 was calculated. It revealed that Tyr4, Lys13, Ile18, Leu19, Gly20, Lys43, Leu44, Thr57, Tyr58, Pro59, Thr64 Cys65, situated side proposed literature bind channel, constitute positive region. Therefore, they may form binds included comparative analysis two groups natural variants, highly genus with specificities arthropods. A number surface-accessible residues, consistently different between putative site, be importance for analyzed toxins.