Synthesis
Margatoxin is a peptide originally purified from the venom of the scorpion Centrutoides margaritatus (Central American Bark Scorpion). Scorpion toxins are specific and have a high affinity for their targets, and this makes them good tools to characterize various receptor proteins involved in ion channel functioning. Because only low amounts of natural toxins can be isolated from scorpion venoms, a chemical synthesis approach has been utilised to produce sufficient protein for research. This approach is not only produces enough material to study the effects on potassium channels but ensures purity as toxin isolated from the scorpion venom risks contamination by other active compounds.
Margatoxin can be chemically synthesized using the solid phase synthesis technique. The compound gained by this technique was compared with the natural, purified Margatoxin. Both compounds had the same physical and biological properties. The chemically synthesized Margatoxin is now used to study the role of Kv1.3 channels.
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