We recently identified five new three-finger toxins from king cobra venom using cDNA library. We also purified these proteins from the crude venom using chromatographic techniques. One of these proteins induced decreased heart rate as well as difficulty in breathing in mice. In contrast to classical cardiotoxins which increase the heart rate, this novel protein decreased the heart rate in anesthetized rats as well as in isolated rat hearts. Further studies showed that this protein binds to β1- and β2- adrenergic receptors, and hence this novel protein was named as β -cardiotoxin.  This is the first exogenous beta-blocker from plant, animal or microbial origin.

 

 

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