Record Information
Version2.0
Creation Date2009-07-03 22:19:20 UTC
Update Date2014-12-24 20:25:41 UTC
Accession NumberT3D2547
Identification
Common NameTaicatoxin
ClassProtein
DescriptionTaicatoxin is a peptide toxin produced by the Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus). It acts on the voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels from the heart, and on the small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in the brain. (3)
Compound Type
  • Amide
  • Amine
  • Animal Toxin
  • Natural Compound
  • Organic Compound
  • Protein
  • Snake Venom
Protein StructureNo structure small
Synonyms
Synonym
Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor taicotoxin
Taicatoxin, serine protease inhibitor component
TCX
TSPI
Venom protease inhibitor 1
Venom protease inhibitor 2
Chemical FormulaNot Available
Average Molecular Mass9711.255 g/mol
CAS Registry Number112154-17-3
SequenceNot Available
Chemical Taxonomy
DescriptionNot Available
KingdomOrganic Compounds
Super ClassOrganic Acids
ClassCarboxylic Acids and Derivatives
Sub ClassAmino Acids, Peptides, and Analogues
Direct ParentPeptides
Alternative ParentsNot Available
SubstituentsNot Available
Molecular FrameworkNot Available
External DescriptorsNot Available
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginExogenous
Cellular LocationsNot Available
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue LocationsNot Available
PathwaysNot Available
ApplicationsNot Available
Biological RolesNot Available
Chemical RolesNot Available
Physical Properties
StateLiquid
AppearanceClear solution.
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting PointNot Available
Boiling PointNot Available
Solubility>10 mg/mL
LogPNot Available
Predicted PropertiesNot Available
Spectra
Spectra
Spectrum TypeDescriptionSplash KeyDeposition DateView
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureInjection (sting/bite) (4)
Mechanism of ToxicityTaicatoxin blocks the voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels from the heart and on the small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in the brain. (3)
MetabolismFree toxin may be removed by opsonization via the reticuloendothelial system (primarily the liver and kidneys) or it may be degraded through cellular internalization via the lysosomes. Lysosomes are membrane-enclosed organelles that contain an array of digestive enzymes, including several proteases.
Toxicity ValuesLD50: 0.106 mg/kg (Subcutaneous, Mouse) (5) LD50: 0.013 mg/kg (Intravenous, Mouse) (5) Ld50: 0.009 mg/kg (Intraperitoneal, Mouse) (5)
Lethal DoseNot Available
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Uses/SourcesTaicatoxin is a peptide toxin produced by the Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus). (3)
Minimum Risk LevelNot Available
Health EffectsTaicatoxin blocks the calcium currents in heart cells and may evoke severe arrhythmias. (3)
SymptomsBites from snakes in the Elapidae family produce pain at the site of the bite, followed by drowsiness, weakness, excessive salivation, decreased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and paralysis of the facial muscles, lips, tongue, and larynx. In addition, ptosis, blurring of vision, convulsions, and headache may occur. (1)
TreatmentAn antivenom exists for taipan venom. (2)
Normal Concentrations
Not Available
Abnormal Concentrations
Not Available
DrugBank IDNot Available
HMDB IDNot Available
PubChem Compound IDNot Available
ChEMBL IDNot Available
ChemSpider IDNot Available
KEGG IDNot Available
UniProt IDQ7LZE4
OMIM ID
ChEBI IDNot Available
BioCyc IDNot Available
CTD IDNot Available
Stitch IDNot Available
PDB IDNot Available
ACToR IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkTaicatoxin
References
Synthesis ReferenceNot Available
MSDSNot Available
General References
  1. Dreisbach, RH (1983). Handbook of Poisoning. Los Altos, California: Lange Medical Publications.
  2. Wikipedia. Antivenom. Last Updated 1 July 2009. [Link]
  3. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
  4. Wikipedia. Snake venom. Last Updated 25 July 2009. [Link]
  5. Thomas S, Griessel E (1999). LD50 Scores for various snakes. [Link]
Gene Regulation
Up-Regulated GenesNot Available
Down-Regulated GenesNot Available

Targets

General Function:
Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activity
Specific Function:
Forms a voltage-independent potassium channel activated by intracellular calcium. Activation is followed by membrane hyperpolarization. Thought to regulate neuronal excitability by contributing to the slow component of synaptic afterhyperpolarization. The channel is blocked by apamin (By similarity).
Gene Name:
KCNN1
Uniprot ID:
Q92952
Molecular Weight:
59986.87 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activity
Specific Function:
Forms a voltage-independent potassium channel activated by intracellular calcium. Activation is followed by membrane hyperpolarization. Thought to regulate neuronal excitability by contributing to the slow component of synaptic afterhyperpolarization. The channel is blocked by apamin.
Gene Name:
KCNN2
Uniprot ID:
Q9H2S1
Molecular Weight:
63759.03 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activity
Specific Function:
Forms a voltage-independent potassium channel activated by intracellular calcium. Activation is followed by membrane hyperpolarization. Thought to regulate neuronal excitability by contributing to the slow component of synaptic afterhyperpolarization. The channel is blocked by apamin.
Gene Name:
KCNN3
Uniprot ID:
Q9UGI6
Molecular Weight:
82025.305 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Voltage-gated calcium channel activity
Specific Function:
Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1C gives rise to L-type calcium currents. Long-lasting (L-type) calcium channels belong to the 'high-voltage activated' (HVA) group. They are blocked by dihydropyridines (DHP), phenylalkylamines, benzothiazepines, and by omega-agatoxin-IIIA (omega-Aga-IIIA). They are however insensitive to omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-CTx-GVIA) and omega-agatoxin-IVA (omega-Aga-IVA). Calcium channels containing the alpha-1C subunit play an important role in excitation-contraction coupling in the heart. The various isoforms display marked differences in the sensitivity to DHP compounds. Binding of calmodulin or CABP1 at the same regulatory sites results in an opposit effects on the channel function.
Gene Name:
CACNA1C
Uniprot ID:
Q13936
Molecular Weight:
248974.1 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Voltage-gated calcium channel activity involved sa node cell action potential
Specific Function:
Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1D gives rise to L-type calcium currents. Long-lasting (L-type) calcium channels belong to the 'high-voltage activated' (HVA) group. They are blocked by dihydropyridines (DHP), phenylalkylamines, benzothiazepines, and by omega-agatoxin-IIIA (omega-Aga-IIIA). They are however insensitive to omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-CTx-GVIA) and omega-agatoxin-IVA (omega-Aga-IVA).
Gene Name:
CACNA1D
Uniprot ID:
Q01668
Molecular Weight:
245138.75 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Voltage-gated calcium channel activity
Specific Function:
Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1F gives rise to L-type calcium currents. Long-lasting (L-type) calcium channels belong to the 'high-voltage activated' (HVA) group. They are blocked by dihydropyridines (DHP), phenylalkylamines, benzothiazepines, and by omega-agatoxin-IIIA (omega-Aga-IIIA). They are however insensitive to omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-CTx-GVIA) and omega-agatoxin-IVA (omega-Aga-IVA).
Gene Name:
CACNA1F
Uniprot ID:
O60840
Molecular Weight:
220675.9 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Voltage-gated calcium channel activity
Specific Function:
Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1S gives rise to L-type calcium currents. Long-lasting (L-type) calcium channels belong to the 'high-voltage activated' (HVA) group. They are blocked by dihydropyridines (DHP), phenylalkylamines, benzothiazepines, and by omega-agatoxin-IIIA (omega-Aga-IIIA). They are however insensitive to omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-CTx-GVIA) and omega-agatoxin-IVA (omega-Aga-IVA). Calcium channels containing the alpha-1S subunit play an important role in excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle.
Gene Name:
CACNA1S
Uniprot ID:
Q13698
Molecular Weight:
212348.1 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Voltage-gated calcium channel activity
Specific Function:
The beta subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels contributes to the function of the calcium channel by increasing peak calcium current, shifting the voltage dependencies of activation and inactivation, modulating G protein inhibition and controlling the alpha-1 subunit membrane targeting.
Gene Name:
CACNB1
Uniprot ID:
Q02641
Molecular Weight:
65712.995 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Voltage-gated calcium channel activity
Specific Function:
The beta subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels contributes to the function of the calcium channel by increasing peak calcium current, shifting the voltage dependencies of activation and inactivation, modulating G protein inhibition and controlling the alpha-1 subunit membrane targeting.
Gene Name:
CACNB2
Uniprot ID:
Q08289
Molecular Weight:
73579.925 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Voltage-gated calcium channel activity
Specific Function:
The beta subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels contributes to the function of the calcium channel by increasing peak calcium current, shifting the voltage dependencies of activation and inactivation, modulating G protein inhibition and controlling the alpha-1 subunit membrane targeting.
Gene Name:
CACNB3
Uniprot ID:
P54284
Molecular Weight:
54531.425 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]
General Function:
Voltage-gated calcium channel activity
Specific Function:
The beta subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels contributes to the function of the calcium channel by increasing peak calcium current, shifting the voltage dependencies of activation and inactivation, modulating G protein inhibition and controlling the alpha-1 subunit membrane targeting.
Gene Name:
CACNB4
Uniprot ID:
O00305
Molecular Weight:
58168.625 Da
References
  1. Wikipedia. Taicatoxin. Last Updated 14 October 2009. [Link]