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Potassium Channels
A Poisonous Aside
Ion channels play a critical role in signaling by nerves, so any blockage of these channels can have serious effects. Scorpions take advantage of this to paralyze their prey. Scorpion venom includes a collection of powerful neurotoxins that bind to ion channels and block the flow of ions. The example shown here, charybdotoxin (PDB entry 2crd), attacks potassium channels and blocks their function in nerve signaling. The surface of the protein is covered with positively-charged amino acids, colored bright blue, that are thought to glue the toxin over the exposed mouth of the pore. These toxins are typically small, highly stable proteins. Charybdotoxin is only 37 amino acids long, but contains three disulfide linkages--two are seen here in bright yellow--that hold the protein in its proper poisonous shape.Next: Exploring the Structure
Previous: Open and Shut
Last changed by: A.Honegger,