Maurocalcine

Maurocalcine is a component of the venom of Scorpio maurus palmatus. It folds according to an inhibitor cysteine knot. It is a new member of the family of toxins acting on ryanodine receptors with an affinity in the 10 nM range. It induces an increase in channel opening probability accompanied by sudden transitions to long lasting subconductance states. It has also been characterized as a cell penetrating peptide and its pharmacological activity can be observed upon extracellular perfusion.