부산대학교 도서관

Crotamine, a 5-kDa peptide, possesses a unique biological versatility. Not only has its cell-penetrating activity become of clinical interest but, moreover, its potential selective antitumor activity is of great pharmacological importance. In the past, several studies have attempted to elucidate the exact molecular target responsible for the crotamine-induced skeletal muscle spasm. The aim of this study was to investigate whether crotamine affects voltage-gated potassium (KV) channels in an effort to explain its in vivo effects. Crotamine was studied on ion channel function using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique on 16 cloned ion channels (12 KVchannels and 4 NaVchannels), expressed in Xenopus laevisoocytes. Crotamine selectively inhibits KV1.1, KV1.2, and KV1.3 channels with an IC50of ∼300 nM, and the key amino acids responsible for this molecular interaction are suggested. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the symptoms, which are observed in the typical crotamine syndrome, may result from the inhibition of KVchannels. The ability of crotamine to inhibit the potassium current through KVchannels unravels it as the first snake peptide with the unique multifunctionality of cell-penetrating and antitumoral activity combined with KVchannel-inhibiting properties. This new property of crotamine might explain some experimental observations and opens new perspectives on pharmacological uses.