Characterization of the membrane-bound receptor for α-latrocrustatoxin from the nerve tissue of the Paralithodes camtshatica crab

V. G. Krasnoperov, O. G. Shamotienko, E. V. Grishin

Branch of M. M. Shemyakin Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Pushchino, Moscow Region; M. M. Shemyakin Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow

Abstract: Iodine-125 labelled α-latrocrustatoxin, a Crustacea-specific presynaptic neurotoxin from the venom of black widow spider Latrodectus mactans tredecimguttatus, binds specifically to the plasmatic membranes from the ganglia nerve tissue of the Paralithodes cam-tshatica crab with Kd = 3·10-10 M. Density of binding sites is 60 fmoles bound toxin/mg membrane protein. The optimal pH value for the toxin specific binding to the receptor is 6.4. The binding increases by 20% in the presence of 2–5 mM calcium ions. Sodium chloride in over 0.075 M concentration inhibits the toxin binding. Wheat germ agglutinin and lenthil-lectin do not affect the toxin reception. The toxin-binding activity of the nerve cell membranes is inhibited by elevated temperatures.

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry 1991, 17 (10):1329-1334

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