High-resolution characterization of saxitoxin (STX) recognition
Abstract
Saxitoxin (STX) is one of the most lethal natural paralytic neurotoxins. Its toxicity is thought to arise primarily from its ability to act as a high-affinity inhibitor of select voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) isoforms. Because of its extreme toxicity, STX is a target of particular importance for C-WMD research. The research pursued here will examine the molecular principles that govern STX binding to two classes of high-affinity STX binding proteins, saxiphilin (Sxph) and Pufferfish STX and Tetrodotoxin (TTX) Binding Protein (PSTBP). These studies will advance knowledge about how proteins recognize STX and enable development of new medical countermeasures that could be used to mitigate an STX-based attack and STX poisoning, aid development of animal models to test countermeasures, and may lead to novel sensors and assays to detect STX poisoning. The fundamental knowledge from the proposed studies will provide key contributions for the CBDP and will have very clear value to the CBDP mission and goals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 28, 2020
- Source ID
- HDTRA11910040
Entities
People
- Daniel L Minor
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- University of California