Slotoxin (SloTx)

Slotoxin is a peptide from Centruroides noxius Hoffmann scorpion venom. It belongs to the short scorpion toxin superfamily. For isolation of slotoxin, scorpions of the species Centruroides noxius are milked for venom in the laboratory. The crude venom is being dissolved in distilled water and spun. The supernatant is separated. Unreversibly blocks the high conductance calcium-activated potassium channels composed of α- and β1-subunits. Unreversibly and weakly blocks the high conductance calcium-activated potassium channels composed of α- and β4-subunits. It shows no activity on other potassium channels. The positively charged surface (C-terminal) of SloTx has a specific short-range interaction with the negatively charged pore region of potassium-channels leading to channel blockade. Specific hydrophobic residue-residue interactions between SloTx and MaxiK channels may also contribute to toxin-channel interaction.