Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv1.3 , Kv1.4 , Kv3.1 , Kv4.2

Title: Recombinant expression and functional characterization of martentoxin: a selective inhibitor for BK channel (α + β4).

Authors: Jie Tao, Zhi Lei Zhou, Bin Wu, Jian Shi, Xiao Ming Chen, Yong Hua Ji

Journal, date & volume: Toxins (Basel), 2014 Apr , 6, 1419-33

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24759175

Abstract
Martentoxin (MarTX), a 37-residue peptide purified from the venom of East-Asian scorpion (Buthus martensi Karsch), was capable of blocking large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels. Here, we report an effective expression and purification approach for this toxin. The cDNA encoding martentoxin was expressed by the prokaryotic expression system pGEX-4T-3 which was added an enterokinase cleavage site by PCR. The fusion protein (GST-rMarTX) was digested by enterokinase to release hetero-expressed toxin and further purified via reverse-phase HPLC. The molecular weight of the hetero-expressed rMarTX was 4059.06 Da, which is identical to that of the natural peptide isolated from scorpion venom. Functional characterization through whole-cell patch clamp showed that rMarTX selectively and potently inhibited the currents of neuronal BK channels (α + β4) (IC50 = 186 nM), partly inhibited mKv1.3, but hardly having any significant effect on hKv4.2 and hKv3.1a even at 10 μM. Successful expression of martentoxin lays basis for further studies of structure-function relationship underlying martentoxin or other potassium-channel specific blockers.