ImKTx88

ImKTx88 is a selective inhibitor of the Kv1 ion channel family that can be isolated from the venom of the Isometrus maculatus (lesser brown scorpion).

The name ImKTx88 is derived from the scorpion species, Isometrus maculatus, its target, K channels, the abbreviation of toxin, Tx, and the clone number in the cDNA library, 88.

[1] This peptide has not shown a high percentage of sequence similarity with other toxins selective for the same family of K+ channels α-KTx and may be classified in a new group among the related Kv blocker.

[8] ImKTx88 ameliorate pathological severity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rats by reducing extravasation into central nervous system (CNS) and by stabilizing the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

[9] Moreover, this toxin improves the severity of loss or redistribution of tight junction proteins, and inhibits over-expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the brain from EAE rats.