Abstract

Mambas, African snakes of the genus Dendroaspis, produce several types of toxins that are of pharmacological interest. The novel muscarinic toxin-1 (MT-1), from the green mamba Dendroaspis angusticeps, binds specifically to muscarinic M 1 receptors in homogenates of rat cerebral cortex. Iodination of the toxin, 125I-muscarinic toxin-1 ( 125I-MT-1), renders the toxin selective for M 1 muscarinic receptors. Quantitative measurement of 125I-MT-1 autoradiography in rat brain sections indicated highest labeling in the nucleus accumbens, striatum, and dentate gyrus. High densities of 125I-MT-1 binding sites were located in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, frontal, and parietal cortices. Moderate densities of binding sites were seen in temporal cortex, and hippocampal subregions CA2, CA3, and CA4, whereas low labeling was observed in the cerebellum and spinal cord.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.