Application

Dendrotoxin-K is suitable for use as a potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 1 (Kv1.1) channel blocker in axon and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. It has also been used as a selective blocker of Kv channels in mice.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Dendrotoxin-K inhibits potassium channels that contain Kv1.1 protein only.

Dendrotoxin-K (DTXk) is isolated from mamba snake Dendroaspis polylepis and interacts with the β-turn region in the N-terminal sequence of the potassium channel. It inhibits tumor progression in gefitinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells. DTXk induces neuronal damage in the hippocampus via N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors.

Features and Benefits

This compound is featured on the Potassium Channels page of the Handbook of Receptor Classification and Signal Transduction. To browse other handbook pages, click here.

Other Notes

Isolated initially from Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis venom

Preparation Note

Purified by a modification of the method of Schweitz.

Reconstitution

Reconstitute in 1 mL deionized water or buffer (pH 7.5) to yield 10 µM stock