We isolated and characterized this new three-finger toxin from Bungarus candidus venom. This protein has the fifth disulfide bridge in the first loop. Unlike weak toxins (which also have the fifth disulfide bridge in the first loop), candoxin was highly toxic. We showed that it binds reversibly to peripheral nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, but irreversibly to α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor with nanomolar affinities. Therefore, we classified this group of three-finger toxins as non-conventional toxins.

 

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