Amino acid sequence and function of a new α-toxin from the Amazonian scorpion Tityus cambridgei

A toxic peptide earlier denominated Tc48b [Toxicon 40 (2002) 557] was purified to homogeneity and its ammo acid sequence determined. It has 64 amino acid residues stabilized by four disulfide bridges with a molecular weight of 7,385.2 atomic mass units (a.m.u.). It affects Na+-permeability ill pituitary GH3 cells ill Culture, in a similar fashion as those reported for alpha-scorpion toxins, contrary to most of the New World scorpion toxins that are beta-toxins. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.