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. 1966 May 1;49(5):977–988. doi: 10.1085/jgp.49.5.977

Blockage of Sodium Conductance Increase in Lobster Giant Axon by Tarichatoxin (Tetrodotoxin)

M Takata 1, J W Moore 1, C Y Kao 1, F A Fuhrman 1
PMCID: PMC2195518  PMID: 5961361

Abstract

Tarichatoxin, isolated from California newt eggs, has been found to selectively block the increase of sodium conductance associated with excitation in lobster giant axons at nanomolar concentrations. This resulted from a reduction in the amplitude of the conductance increase rather than a change in its temporal characteristics. The normal potassium conductance increase with depolarization is not altered. A high concentration of calcium applied concomitantly with the toxin significantly improves the reversibility of the sodium blocking. This toxin has recently been identified as chemically identical with tetrodotoxin from the puffer fish. Toxins from the two sources are equally effective and are shown to have an action which is distinctly different from that of procaine.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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