Tx2-6 is a toxin found in the venom of the Brazilian wandering spider, Phoneutria nigriventer (Keyserling). It is a peptide of 48 residues, molecular weight 5291.3.[1] This peptide is cleaved from a longer precursor with a signal peptide and a glutamine-rich propeptide. It can cause priapism. Tests on rats indicate that the toxin causes nitric oxide release, and its effect on erection is blocked by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME. However, it fully restored erectile function in rats developing hypertension due to injection of deoxycorticosterone acetate.[2] A study is underway at the Medical College of Georgia looking at possible uses for the chemical in erectile dysfunction medication. Scientists and Gregory Ochs (Dobbs 2) are collaborating on this study.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cordeiro Mdo N, Diniz CR, Valentim Ado C, von Eickstedt VR, Gilroy J, Richardson M (September 1992). "The purification and amino acid sequences of four Tx2 neurotoxins from the venom of the Brazilian 'armed' spider Phoneutria nigriventer (Keys)". FEBS Lett. 310 (2): 153–6. doi:10.1016/0014-5793(92)81318-G. PMID 1397265. S2CID 46596595.
  2. ↑ Nunes, Kenia P.; et al. (2008). "Tx2-6 toxin of the Phoneutria nigriventer spider potentiates rat erectile function". Toxicon. 51 (7): 1197–1206. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2008.02.010. PMC 3019117. PMID 18397797.
  3. ↑ Hernandez, Vladimir (4 May 2007). "Spider venom could boost sex life". BBC News.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.