Effect of Dendroaspis neurotoxins on synaptic transmission in the spinal cord of the frog

Abstract

Six neurotoxins from Dendroaspis venom, and α -bungarotoxin, were tested on a cholinergic synaptic pathway in the isolated spinal cord of the frog. Four dendrotoxins, which block neuromuscular transmission, also blocked the cholinergic pathway in the spinal cord. In both cases the block is slowly reversible and not due to presynaptic action. The dendrotoxins appear to act by blocking acetylcholine receptors and are therefore potentially useful for the localization and isolation of acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system of vertebrates.