蝎β型昆虫毒素的结构及其与钠通道作用机制

蝎毒素是蝎为防卫的需要而产生的一系列活性短肽.其中蝎昆虫特异性毒素可特异性结合并调控昆虫可兴奋细胞膜上的钠离子通道,是研究离子通道结构与功能的首选探针,并在转基因抗虫植物及生物杀虫剂研究方面具有潜在的应用价值.本文对蝎β型昆虫毒素的结构与功能及其对钠离子通道的作用方式和β毒素的电压传感器捕获(voltage sensor-trapping)模型做一综述,为进一步揭示蝎β毒素的结构与功能的关系和在农作物抗虫领域的应用提供依据.

The Interactions of the Scorpion Insect β-Neurotoxins with Sodium Channel

Scorpion toxin is a mixture of several toxins that are used for preying and self-defense by scorpion species. Most insect toxins interact specifically with sodium channels at the excitable membranes and can be used as valuable probes for studies of the structure and function of ion channels. Scorpion toxins are also considered to be promising agents to produce anti-insect transgenic plants and biological insecticide. This review summarizes the classification and the structure of β-type scorpion anti insect neurotoxins, emphasizes on the sites that interact with sodium channels, and discusses the relevant voltage sensor-trapping model. It will be helpful for the further understanding regarding the structural bases for the biological effects of β-scorpion neurotoxins, as well as for the potential applications of crops insect control.