CONOTOXIN
\kənˈɒtəksˌɪn], \kənˈɒtəksˌɪn], \k_ə_n_ˈɒ_t_ə_k_s_ˌɪ_n]\
Sort: Oldest first
-
Peptide neurotoxins from the marine fish-hunting snails of the genus Conus. They contain 13 to 29 amino acids which are strongly basic and are highly cross-linked by disulfide bonds. There are three types of conotoxins, omega-, alpha-, and mu-. OMEGA-CONOTOXINS inhibit voltage-activated entry of calcium into the presynaptic membrane and therefore the release of ACETYLCHOLINE. Alpha-conotoxins inhibit the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor. Mu-conotoxins prevent the generation of muscle action potentials. (From Concise Encyclopedia Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 3rd ed)
By DataStellar Co., Ltd
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.