tetrodotoxin
Pronunciation: tet-row-doe-TOX-in
Also written as: TTX — tetrodotoxin
Potent neurotoxin that selectively blocks voltage-gated sodium channels, preventing action potential generation.
Full Definition
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a powerful neurotoxin originally isolated from pufferfish that specifically binds to and blocks voltage-gated sodium channels. By preventing sodium influx, TTX effectively eliminates action potential generation and propagation, making it a crucial research tool for studying neuronal function and identifying TTX-sensitive versus TTX-resistant sodium channel subtypes. The toxin is widely used in electrophysiological experiments to isolate specific ionic currents and determine the contribution of sodium channels to various cellular processes.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as TTX in research contexts; ensure concentration units are specified when mentioned.
In Context
- "Application of tetrodotoxin completely abolished action potential-dependent calcium transients." — Electrophysiology methods paper
- "TTX-resistant sodium currents persisted in the presence of 1 μM tetrodotoxin." — Ion channel characterization study