Other · Atracotoxin
ω-Atracotoxin-HV1
Also known as HV1a, Versutoxin
A 37-amino-acid spider venom peptide that blocks insect voltage-gated calcium channels, used in entomology and bio-insecticide research.
- Length
- 37 amino acids
- Half-life
- Not well characterised
- Mechanism
- This toxin is a blocker of insect voltage-gated calcium channels, showing selectivity for insect over vertebrate channels.
- Studied in
- It is utilized as a pharmacological tool in entomology and neurobiology to study insect calcium channel function and as a lead compound for bio-insecticide development.
About ω-Atracotoxin-HV1
ω-Atracotoxin-HV1 is a 37-amino-acid polypeptide originally isolated from the venom of the Australian funnel-web spider, Hadronyche versuta. Its structure is stabilized by four disulfide bonds, forming an inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) motif which confers high stability.
The toxin acts as a potent blocker of a subset of voltage-gated calcium channels (CaV). It exhibits high specificity for insect CaV channels over their vertebrate counterparts. This selectivity makes it a valuable research tool for comparative neurophysiology and for investigating the structure and function of ion channels in insects. It is also a lead structure in the research and development of novel, environmentally specific bio-insecticides.
Laboratory notes
- This peptide is a potent toxin for insects. Handle with appropriate laboratory precautions. While its vertebrate toxicity is low, standard safe laboratory practices are required.
- Due to the complex disulfide-rich structure, ensure full reconstitution in an appropriate buffer. Avoid harsh vortexing which could lead to aggregation.
- For electrophysiology experiments, use low-binding tubes and pipette tips, as the peptide can adsorb to plastic surfaces, reducing the effective concentration.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about ω-Atracotoxin-HV1
What is the mechanism of ω-Atracotoxin-HV1?
It functions as a blocker of voltage-gated calcium channels, with a pronounced selectivity for insect channels over vertebrate channels.
Is this product derived from spiders?
No, this is a high-purity, synthetic replica of the native peptide found in the venom of the Hadronyche versuta spider.
Why is this peptide useful in research?
Its high selectivity for insect ion channels makes it an excellent pharmacological tool to study the insect nervous system without affecting vertebrate systems in comparative studies, and serves as a model for developing species-specific insecticides.
Is ω-Atracotoxin-HV1 for human use?
No. It is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or animal consumption.
Related research peptides
All products are sold for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, not a medicine, not for diagnosing, treating or preventing any condition.