Identity of the Tetrodotoxin Receptor

河豚毒素(TTX)是一种自然产生的毒素，通过在神经和肌肉中潜在的电兴奋性而特异性地阻断钠通道的功能。被这种麻痹毒药毒死的动物失去了控制骨骼肌和内脏肌的能力，最终死亡。这项研究旨在表征与河豚毒素结合的钠通道受体。不同种类的钠通道结合TTX的能力不同。将对不同物种中结合部位的分子结构进行比较，以确定负责受体密集结合特性的特定成分。将使用生化和电生理技术来确定受体的结构。一旦识别了受体，就有可能开发专门针对TTX的药理药物，从而开发出一类新的麻醉药。

Tetrodotoxin (TTX), a naturally occurring toxin, specifically blocks the function of sodium channels by underlying the electrical excitability in nerve and muscle. Animals poisoned by this paralytic poison lose the ability to control skeletal and visceral muscles and eventually die. The investigation is designed to characterize the sodium channel receptor which binds to tetrodotoxin. Sodium channels in different species differ in their ability to bind TTX. Comparisons of the molecular structure of the binding sites in different species will be made to determine the specific component responsible for the intensive binding properties of the receptor. Biochemical and electrophysiological techniques will be used to determine the structure of the receptor. Once the receptor has been identified, it will be possible to develop pharmacological agents targeted specifically for TTX, leading to the development of a new class of anesthetics.