spider venom

Purotoxin-1: Selective Blocker of P2X3 Receptors from Spider Venom

Purotoxin-1, derived from Geolycosa spider venom, acts as the first highly selective inhibitor of P2X3 receptors in the purinoreceptor family. This 35-amino-acid peptide with four disulfide bonds prolongs desensitization recovery in a concentration-dependent manner and shows promise in reducing inflammatory pain in rat models. Studies confirm its EK50 of 12 nM and full blockade at 100 nM, with no effects on other ion channels.