MECHANICALLY ACTIVATED CHANNEL BLOCKER

摘要

The present invention discloses a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 and its variants that blocks stretch-activated ion channels. All amino acids in this peptide are D-amino acids. The peptide, designated as D-GsMTx4, is an enantiomer of a peptide GsMTX-4 present in the venom of the spider Grammostola spatulata. The present invention also discloses a method for inhibition of stretch activated ion channels in a cell. This peptide can be used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and other pathologies that involve alteartions in mechanical stress.