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Characterization of the actions of AvTx 7 isolated from Agelaia vicina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) wasp venom on synaptosomal glutamate uptake and release

✍ Scribed by Andrea B. Pizzo; Renê O. Beleboni; Andréia C. K. Fontana; Alessandra M. Ribeiro; Antonio Miranda; Joaquim Coutinho-Netto; Wagner F. dos Santos

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
Year: 2004
Tongue: English
Weight: 134 KB
Volume: 18
Category: Article
ISSN: 1095-6670
DOI: 10.1002/jbt.20014

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✦ Synopsis

Abstract

It has previously been shown that the denatured crude extract of Agelaia vicina wasp venom inhibits glutamate and GABA uptake in rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes. To identify the components responsible for these effects, the neurotoxin AvTx 7 (molecular weight of 1210 Da) was isolated from A. vicina venom and its effects on glutamate neurotransmission investigated. AvTx 7 inhibits glutamate uptake in a dose‐dependent and uncompetitive manner. AvTx 7 was found to stimulate the glutamate release in the presence of calcium and sodium channel blockers, suggesting that its action is not mediated through these channels. AvTx 7 potentiates glutamate release in the presence of K^+^ channel blockers tetraethylammonium and 4‐aminopyridine, indicating that the toxin may act through these drugs‐sensible K^+^ channels. We suggest that AvTx 7 can be a valuable tool to enhance our understanding of K^+^ channels' involvement in the release of glutamate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 18:61–68, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20014

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