Interaction of scorpion and spider neurotoxins with sodium and potassium channels

Voltage-gated potassium and sodium channels are the main targets for many neurotoxins of poisonous animals such as scorpions and spiders, as they play a crucial role in the nervous system. The research activity, which is based on a collaboration with the Institute of Cuernavaca (Mexico) known for the extraction and recombination of numerous toxins extracted from the venom of poisonous animals, is aimed at the characterization of the interaction toxin-channel. The question is to identify the amino acid residues of toxins extracted from scorpion or spider that are involved in the binding with different ion channels. The study of the action of toxins on ionic channels has always been fundamental for the identification and functional characterization of these channels.

Members:
Cristiana Picco (Principal investigator)