PHA1B TOXIN, CDNA OF PHA1B TOXIN GENE, PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS CONT AINING PHA1B TOXIN, PROCESSES FOR THEIR OBTENTION AND PRODUCT

摘要

Methods and compositions for blocking calcium channels with a spider toxi n Phoneutria nigriventer are provided. For easy identification the toxin wil l be sometimes generally referred to as Ph.alpha.-1B during the present desc ription of the invention. The toxin comprises a 55-amino acid toxin having a molecular weight of approximately 6,017. This Ph.alpha.-1B spider toxin was found to block calcium channels within the nervous system. The synthetic ge ne responsible for producing this toxin has been designed and cloned. This g ene and/or its derivative provide a mechanism by which the toxin can be prod uced using recombinant DNA expression technologies. The present invention fu rther relates to methods of treating neurological diseases and pain by apply ing the isolated and identified toxins. The toxin Ph.alpha.-1B may provide b eneficial effects on pain and certain neurological conditions including seiz ures, ischemic- hypoxic, CNS damage, and neurodegenerative disorders. It was also found that the toxins are effective as tags in probing calcium channel s.