Key result
The minimolecular component of Chinese scorpion B. martensi venom reversibly blocked transient outward K+ currents in neonatal rat ventricular cells and weakly blocked voltage-gated K+ channels in NG108-15 cells.
The venom of the Chinese scorpion BmK contains a novel active minimolecule that selectively inhibits transient outward K+ currents in neonatal rat ventricular cells.
Novel venom effects on cardiac K+ currents offer no clinical guidance; leaves open further basic research on channel modulators.
In this communication, the effects of the venom and/or minimolecular component of Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK) on nine kinds of Ki or Cl' channels have been scanned under voltage-and patch-clamp recording conditions. The venom showed weak blockade to voltage-gated Ki" channels in NG108-15 cells, while a reversible blocking effect of the minimolecular component on transient outward K+ currents was distinctly observed in neonatal rat ventricular cells. Among nine channels tested, little effect was observed on the other seven channels. The present results suggest that Chinese scorpion BmK contains a novel class of active minimolecule, which selectively binds to Ki channel family, in addition to the known polypeptides which bind to Na+ channels.
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Liu et al. (1997) studied this question. Venom of scorpion B. martensi (BmK) and its minimolecular component was evaluated on Blockade of transient outward K+ currents and Kv+ channel currents. The minimolecular component of Chinese scorpion B. martensi venom reversibly blocked transient outward K+ currents in neonatal rat ventricular cells and weakly blocked voltage-gated K+ channels in NG108-15 cells.
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