| bungarotoxins | Neurotoxic proteins from the venom of the banded or formosan krait (bungarus multicinctus, an elapid snake). Alpha-bungarotoxin blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and has been used to isolate and study them; beta- and gamma-bungarotoxins act presynaptically causing acetylcholine release and depletion. Both alpha and beta forms have been characterised, the alpha being similar to the large, long or type II neurotoxins from other elapid venoms. (12 Dec 1998) |
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