Paradoxin

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The Inland taipan produces paradoxin in its venom Australia Zoo Brown Snake-1and (3706993200).jpg
The Inland taipan produces paradoxin in its venom


Paradoxin (PDX) is a presynaptic neurotoxic phospholipase found in the venom of the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), an extremely venomous species of snake native to Australia. [1]

Contents

Structure

It is similar in structure to another neurotoxin named Taipoxin. However they differ in how they are neurotoxic. It is a heterotrimer and composed of three subunits. [2] [3]

Toxicity

Relatively little is known about paradoxin including its neuromuscular activity. [1] It is known that paradoxin blocks nerve impulses in the synapses by disrupting and blocking neuromuscular transmission. [4]

References

  1. 1 2 Hodgson, Wayne C.; Dal Belo, Cháriston André; Rowan, Edward G. (2007-04-01). "The neuromuscular activity of paradoxin: A presynaptic neurotoxin from the venom of the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)". Neuropharmacology. 52 (5): 1229–1236. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2007.01.002. ISSN   0028-3908. PMID   17313963.
  2. Harrison, Julian A.; Aquilina, J. Andrew (2016-03-15). "Insights into the subunit arrangement and diversity of paradoxin and taipoxin". Toxicon. 112: 45–50. Bibcode:2016Txcn..112...45H. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.01.054. ISSN   0041-0101. PMID   26827926.
  3. Jackson, Timothy; Sunagar, Kartik; Undheim, Eivind; Koludarov, Ivan; Chan, Angelo; Sanders, Kate; Ali, Syed; Hendrikx, Iwan; Dunstan, Nathan; Fry, Bryan (18 December 2013). "Venom Down Under: Dynamic Evolution of Australian Elapid Snake Toxins". Toxins. 5 (12): 2621–2655. doi: 10.3390/toxins5122621 . PMID   24351719.
  4. Kuruppu, Sanjaya; Chaisakul, Janeyuth; Smith, A. Ian; Hodgson, Wayne C. (2014-04-01). "Inhibition of Presynaptic Neurotoxins in Taipan Venom by Suramin". Neurotoxicity Research. 25 (3): 305–310. doi:10.1007/s12640-013-9426-z. ISSN   1476-3524.