Crotoxin

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Crotoxin (pronounced: kroh-TOX-in) is a potent neurotoxin found in the venom of the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus. It is a complex of two proteins, a phospholipase A2 and a crotapotin, which work together to exert its toxic effects.

Etymology

The term "Crotoxin" is derived from the genus name of the rattlesnake (Crotalus) from which it is sourced, and the suffix "-toxin", which is used to denote poisonous substances.

Structure and Function

Crotoxin is a heterodimeric toxin composed of an acidic, non-toxic, non-enzymatic subunit (crotapotin) and a basic, toxic, enzymatically active phospholipase A2 subunit. The two subunits are non-covalently linked. The phospholipase A2 component is responsible for the neurotoxic and myotoxic effects of the venom, while the crotapotin component is thought to target the toxin to specific sites in the victim's body.

Medical Significance

Crotoxin has been the subject of extensive research due to its potential therapeutic applications. It has been found to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-cancer properties. However, its use in medicine is currently limited due to its high toxicity and the difficulty of separating the beneficial effects from the harmful ones.

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