Structure and Function of Cobrotoxin.
Abstract
Cobrotoxin is a basic protein having four free amino groups and six arginine residues. In this communication, the important roles of cationic groups in cobrotoxin in relation to the lethal activity and antigenic specificity have been studied. The results indicate that no individual cationic group is responsible for full biological activity of cobra neurotoxins, but at least two cationic groups held at certain distances in the molecule are functionally important for its neuromuscular blocking activity. It seems likely that the positive charges of the epsilon-amino group of Lys-47 and the guanidino group of Arg-33, both of which are common to all known postsynaptically acting snake toxins form salt bridges with anionic sites of the receptors which recognize the quaternary ammonium ion of acetylcholine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 16, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA004043
Entities
People
- Chen-chung Yang
Organizations
- National Tsing Hua University