Description and references

Peptide toxins isolated from the venom of the Chilean tarantula, Phrixotrichus spatulata, originally named Grammostola spatulata; modifies voltage-dependent K⁺ channels by shifting channel opening to more depolarized voltages. 35 amino acids long with 3 disulfide linkages, mol wt ≈4.1 kDa. Isoln and characterization: K. J. Swartz, R. MacKinnon, Neuron 15, 941 (1995). Mechanism of action and identification of receptor binding sites: eidem, ibid. 18, 665, 675 (1997). Use as probe for determn of channel structure: Y. Li-Smerin, K. J. Swartz, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95, 8585 (1998); V. Ruta et al., Nature 422, 180 (2003). Reagent for measurement of channel current in myocytes: H. M. Himmel et al., Am. J. Physiol. 277, H107 (1999).

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