| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mfr No | |
| Accession Number | |
| Activity | |
| Alternative Names | K+ channel toxin α-KTx 3.3, AgTx-3, AgTx3 |
| Cas No. | |
| Concentration | |
| Form | Lyophilized |
| Formulation | |
| Gene ID | |
| Molecular Weight | |
| Product Type | |
| Purity | |
| Reconstitution | |
| Solubility | Centrifuge the vial before adding solvent (10,000 x g for 5 minutes) to spin down all the powder to the bottom of the vial. The lyophilized product may be difficult to visualize. Add solvent directly to the centrifuged vial. Tap the vial to aid in dissolving the lyophilized product. Tilt and gently roll the liquid over the walls of the vial. Avoid vigorous vortexing. Light vortexing for up to 3 seconds is acceptable if needed. The product is soluble in pure water at high micromolar concentrations (100 µM - 1 mM). For long-term storage in solution, we recommend preparing a stock solution by dissolving the product in double-distilled water (ddH2O) at a concentration between 100-1000x of the final working concentration. Divide the stock solution into small aliquots and store at -20°C. Before use, thaw the relevant vial(s) and dilute to the desired working concentration in your working buffer. Centrifuge all product preparations before use. It is recommended to prepare fresh solutions in working buffers just before use. Avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles to maintain biological activity. |
| Source | Synthetic peptide |
| Species | |
| Storage | |
| Target |
Overview
Agitoxin-3 is a research-grade protein/peptide reagent used in research settings. It is commonly applied as a tool reagent related to KV1.3 K+ channels biology and/or assay development. It is supplied in Lyophilized format to support flexible downstream use in RUO workflows. Researchers commonly pair it with applications such as Electrophysiology.
Key elements and design rationale
- Molecular identity: CAS: 155646-23-4, MW: 4101 Da, Formula: C171H280N54O47S8.
- Source / origin: Leiurus hebraeus (Hebrew deathstalker scorpion) (Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus).
- Quality attributes: Purity: ≥98% (HPLC); Bioassay tested: Yes; Sterile / endotoxin-free: No.
Modifications
Disulfide bonds between: Cys8-Cys28, Cys14-Cys33, and Cys18-Cys35
When used as a biochemical or pharmacological tool, results are best interpreted relative to the experimental system (species, expression level, and assay readout) and with appropriate negative and competition-style controls where relevant. This product is intended for research use only.
Biological background
Agitoxins are peptide toxins originally isolated from L. quinquestriatus hebraeus scorpion venoM This group of toxins blocks potassium (K⁺) channels and has a central role in the investigation and understanding of the physiological importance of K+ channels and their function in membrane biophysics1.Agitoxins 1, 2 and 3 have been isolated and characterized. Each toxin is comprised of 38 amino acids. They are highly homologous and differ only in the identity of the residues at positions 7, 15, 29 and 31.Agitoxins appear to be specific for the Shaker K+ channel of Drosophila melanogaster and many of the mammalian homologues of Shaker. Agitoxin-1 blocks the Shaker channel in a stoichiometry of one to one, it binds the channel site in the extracellular vestibule and prevents ion conduction by occluding the pore2.Using scorpion toxins for molecular dissection of ion channels has led to direct evidence that specific mutations can be correlated to changes in the propagation and conduction of electrical impulses in the body3.
Research relevance and current trends
- Using high-specificity ligands, toxins, and engineered peptides to dissect closely related receptor/channel subtypes and signaling microdomains.
- Pairing labeled (e.g., fluorescent) proteins/peptides with advanced imaging to map surface expression, trafficking, and nanoscale organization.
- Increasing emphasis on reproducibility through standardized characterization (identity, purity, and lot QC) and transparent reporting of reagent attributes.
Common research applications
- Electrophysiology: commonly used to compare signal, binding, or functional readouts across conditions without implying a specific protocol.
Across these use cases, changes in signal or functional readout are generally interpreted as evidence of differences in target abundance, accessibility, or engagement, but alternative explanations (matrix effects, off-target interactions, or assay artifacts) should be considered.
Notes for experimental interpretation
- Assay context matters: binding assays, functional modulation, and detection workflows can yield different readouts even for the same target system.
- Target complexity: closely related family members, splice variants, and post-translational modifications can influence apparent specificity and potency.
- Matrix and sample effects: buffer composition, detergents, and biological matrices may alter stability or apparent activity; interpret with appropriate controls.
- Control concepts: include negative controls and orthogonal validation (e.g., genetic perturbation or alternative reagents) to support robust interpretation.
Can’t Find What You’re Looking For? We can help you source the best match or customize a recombinant protein solution for your study. Options may include species (human/mouse/rat), protein region/domain (full-length vs fragment), tag or label (His/GST/FLAG/biotin/fluorescent), expression system (E. coli/HEK293/insect), purity grade, formulation (buffer, carrier-free, glycerol-free), activity/functional validation (binding or enzymatic assays), endotoxin level (low-endotoxin for cell-based work), mutants/variants (point mutations, isoforms), and bulk or custom packaging. Click Talk to a Scientist to submit a request form, email us at support@biohippo.com, or explore our Research Services for additional support. Our team will be in contact with you shortly.
Vacher, H.
et al. (2002) Eur. J. Biochem.269, 6037.
Bergeron, Z.L. and Bingham, J.P.
(2012) Toxins4, 1082.
Garcia, M.L.
et al. (1994) Biochemistry33, 6834.
Aggarwal, S.K. and MacKinnon, R.
(1996) Neuron6, 1169.
