User:Btshandiru

corpion toxins are proteins found in the venom of scorpions. Their toxic effect may be mammal- or insect-specific and acts by binding with varying degrees of specificity to members of the Voltage-gated ion channel superfamily; specifically, voltage-gated sodium channels, voltage-gated potassium channels,[1] and Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels.[2][3] The result of this action is to activate or inhibit the action of these channels in the nervous and cardiac organ systems. For instance, α-scorpion toxins MeuNaTxα-12 and MeuNaTxα-13 from Mesobuthus eupeus are neurotoxins that target voltage-gated Na+ channels (Navs), inhibiting fast inactivation. In vivo assays of MeuNaTxα-12 and MeuNaTxα-13 effects on mammalian and insect Navs show differential potency.[4][5] MeuNaTxα-12 and MeuNaTxα-13 are two new recombinants α-like scorpion toxins from Mesobuthus eupeus that exhibit preferential affinity for mammalian and insect Na+ channels at the α-like toxins' binding site termed site 3 to rapidly inactivate the cell membrane depolarization.[6] Ultimately, these actions can serve the purpose of warding off predators by causing pain (e.g., through the activation of sodium channels or TRP channels in sensory neurons)[7] or to subdue predators (e.g., in the case of inhibition of cardiac ion channels).[8]