Spider toxin (JSTX-3) inhibits the convulsions induced by glutamate agonists

1 June 1990

journal article
research article
Published by Springer Nature in Journal Of Neural Transmission-Parkinsons Disease and Dementia Section

Vol. 80 (2) , 95-104
https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01257076

Abstract

The effect of a spider toxin (JSTX-3)—a specific blocker of glutamate receptors—on the behavior of mice was studied using an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection technique. At higher doses (more than 12 nmol/brain), JSTX-3 increased motor activities and induced characteristic symptoms. JSTX-3 at a dose of 4.7 nmol/brain which per se did not produce any abnormal behavior, specifically antagonized quisqualate-induced convulsions but not NMDA- or kainate-induced confulsions. These results indicate that JSTX-3 is a selective antagonist of the quisqualate receptors in the mammalian central nervous system.

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