The name of the toxin helothermine is derived from its source, a Heloderma lizard, and one of its effects in mice, induction of hypothermia.
Chemistry
The peptide HLTx consists of 242 amino acids residues in a single polypeptide chain. It is stabilized with eight disulfide bridges and has a molecular weight of 25.5 kDa. The iso-electric point is 6.8 and the N-terminal amino acid sequence is: Glu-Ala-Ser-Pro-Lys-Leu-Pro-Gly-Leu-Met-Thr-Ser-Asn-Pro-Asp-Gln-Gln-Thr- Glu-Ile. HLTx shows no structural similarities with any of the known sodium-, potassium- or calcium channel-specific toxins. Highest similarities are found with a family of cysteine-rich secretory proteins, found in human and in mice testes.
HLTx inhibits ryanodine receptors of sarcoplasmatisch reticulum and both calcium channels and potassium channels.
Calcium channels
The effects of HLTx on voltage-dependent calcium channels have been tested in granule cells of the cerebellum. In these cells, HLTx inhibits up to 67% of the calcium currents, acting on multiple subtypes. This inhibition is reversible, concentration-dependent and practically voltage-independent. No effects on the activation and inactivation kinetics were observed. A small shift in the steady-state inactivation curve has been reported. IC50 is 0.25 μM.
Potassium Channels
HLTx inhibits both delayed rectifier and A-type potassium channels in cerebellar granular cells. HLTx reduces the A-type current in a voltage and concentration-dependent way, with an IC50 of 0.52 μM. It slows down both the activation and the inactivation kinetics of the A-type current. The block of the delayed-rectifier current is not voltage-dependent, but only concentration-dependent, with an IC50 of 0.83 μM.
Ryanodine receptor
The ryanodine receptor, both in skeletal and in cardiac sarcoplasmatic reticulum, is inhibited by HLTx. The affinity of the toxin is much higher for the skeletal- than for the cardiac SR receptors, but binding is reversible in both cases.
Toxicity
The main effect of HTLx seems to be the induction of hypothermia. Other effects are lethargy, intestinal distension/diarrhea and paralysis of the rear limbs. Sporadic tonic convulsions can occur when the intoxicated animals are touched on the dorsal parts of their body. The specific toxins of the Mexican beaded lizard are probably evolved to immobilize preys, as these lizards move very slowly themselves.
