Waglerin 1
Waglerin 1 (Wtx-1) is a peptide originally isolated from the venom of the Wagler's pit viper (Trimeresurus wagleri). This 22 amino-acid peptide is a competitive antagonist of muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Waglerin 1 binds selectively to epsilon subunit of nAChR. Some studies have demonstrated that Waglerin 1 has an effect on ionotropic GABA receptors. It may potentiate or depress I(GABA) depending on the neurons. Some derivatives of Waglerin 1 are currently used in cosmetics to reduce wrinkles.
Peptides & proteins
Teichert RW. et al. (2008) Peptide-toxin tools for probing the expression and function of fetal and adult subtypes of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Ann N Y Acad Sci.; Sellin LC. et al. Conformational analysis of a toxic peptide from Trimeresurus wagleri which blocks the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Biophys J.; Molles BE. et al. (2002) Identification of residues at the alpha and epsilon subunit interfaces mediating species selectivity of Waglerin-1 for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. J Biol Chem.; McArdle JJ. et al. (1999) Waglerin-1 selectively blocks the epsilon form of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.J Pharmacol Exp Ther.; Ye JH. et al. (1999) Waglerin-1 inhibits GABA(A) current of neurons in the nucleus accumbens of neonatal rats. Brain Res.; Ye JH. et al. (1997) Waglerin-1 modulates gamma-aminobutyric acid activated current of murine hypothalamic neurons. J Pharmacol Exp Ther.
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