Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, University of Dhaka Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Myotoxins
Myotoxins are small, basic peptides found in snake venoms. This involves a non-enzymatic mechanism that leads to severe muscle necrosis. These peptides act very quickly, causing instantaneous paralysis to prevent prey from escaping and eventually death due to diaphragmactic paralysis.
Myotoxins are particularly abundant in snake venom and can promote myoglobinuria as well as acute renal failure. They are classified into three groups: small myotoxins, cardiotoxins, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) myotoxins.
Summary table:
Venom
Components
Types of toxin
Toxin activity
Functions
(Target/Action)
Family/
Species
References
(PubMed ID, Others)
Cytotoxin drCT1 (Three-finger cytotoxin)
Neurotoxin, Cytotoxin, Cardiotoxin, Myotoxin
Anticancer,
Anti-proliferative
It has antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptotic activities. This protein possess anticancer potential. Also it shows neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and myotoxicity