Question

There are many novel neurotoxins expressed by creatures in the wild (both animal and plant). Search the web for a particular toxin that hasn’t been discussed in the discussion board yet (so if you do this early, you get first dibs!), and summarize it on the following pointsWhat is the name of the toxin, where is it found, and how would it affect your nervous system if you were exposed to it? Make sure you cite your sources. [3 points]

• What is the name of the toxin, where is it found, and how would it affect your nervous system if you were exposed to it? Make sure you cite your sources. [3 points]
• How would it affect your mind or mental abilities? [2 points]
• Explain a medical application for this toxin- be creative with your answer [3 points]

Answer 1

ANSWER: A type of neurotoxin which is from the cobra snale is the Cobrotoxin. This Cobrotoxin is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist which causes paralysis by preventing the binding of acetylcholine to its receptor. It slowly and reversibly binds to the neuronal and muscle type nAchRs. This bond will break the receptors ability to bind with acetylcholine and thereby inhibiting the ion flow through the postsynaptic membrane, which leads to paralysis of the muscles. In recent years, this Cobrotoxin is being used as a vaccine for the snake bite. It is being developed from a nontoxic part of the toxin. To develop this nontoxic part there where certain changes done to the cDNA for the cobrotoxin. This synthesized antitoxin would protect the victim from the snake venom.