{"product_id":"alpha-conotoxin-bt1-8-bhp21300142","title":"α-Conotoxin Bt1.8","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eα-Conotoxin Bt1.8\u003c\/strong\u003e is a research-grade protein\/peptide reagent used in research settings. It is commonly applied as a tool reagent related to \u003cstrong\u003eα6\/α3β2β3, α3β2 nAChRs\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eKey elements and design rationale\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMolecular identity:\u003c\/strong\u003e MW: 1646 Da, Formula: C63H100N22O22S4.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSource \/ origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Conus betulinus (Beech cone).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuality attributes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purity: ≥98% (HPLC); Bioassay tested: Yes; Sterile \/ endotoxin-free: No.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003ch3\u003eModifications\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eDisulfide bonds between: Cys2-Cys8, Cys3-Cys16 Cys16 - C-terminal amidation\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBiological background\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eα-conotoxin Bt1.8 (Bt1.8) is a 16 amino acid peptidyl toxin originally cloned from the venom duct of the worm-hunting cone snail, Conus betulinus1. This toxin potently and selectively blocks neuronal α6\/α3β2β3 and α3β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), with IC50 values of 2.1 nM and 9.4 nM, respectively1. Bt1.8 belongs to the α4\/7-CTx subfamily that primarily targets the vertebrate neuronal nAChRs.Neuronal nAChRs are a heterogeneous family of ligand-gated cation channels that are expressed throughout the brain and involved in a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological processes. These distinct receptor subtypes have a pentameric structure consisting of a homomeric or heteromeric combination of 12 different subunits (α2-α10, β2-β4)2.nAChRs are critically important for neuronal survival and cognitive function, as well as regulation of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The nAChR subtypes share a common basic structure, but their biophysical and pharmacological properties depend on their subunit composition. Thus, the subunit makeup of the nAChR subtypes is central to understanding their function in the nervous system and for discovering new subtype-selective drugs2-4.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eResearch relevance and current trends\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eUsing high-specificity ligands, toxins, and engineered peptides to dissect closely related receptor\/channel subtypes and signaling microdomains.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing labeled (e.g., fluorescent) proteins\/peptides with advanced imaging to map surface expression, trafficking, and nanoscale organization.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncreasing emphasis on reproducibility through standardized characterization (identity, purity, and lot QC) and transparent reporting of reagent attributes.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCommon research applications\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eElectrophysiology: commonly used to compare signal, binding, or functional readouts across conditions without implying a specific protocol.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcross 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNotes for experimental interpretation\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eAssay context matters: binding assays, functional modulation, and detection workflows can yield different readouts even for the same target system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTarget complexity: closely related family members, splice variants, and post-translational modifications can influence apparent specificity and potency.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMatrix and sample effects: buffer composition, detergents, and biological matrices may alter stability or apparent activity; interpret with appropriate controls.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControl concepts: include negative controls and orthogonal validation (e.g., genetic perturbation or alternative reagents) to support robust interpretation.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c!-- Sources (internal): - UniProt Knowledgebase (UniProtKB) — UniProt Consortium — https:\/\/www.uniprot.org\/ - NCBI Gene — National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) — https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/gene\/ - NCBI Protein — National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) — https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/protein\/ - PubChem — NIH\/NLM\/NCBI — https:\/\/pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/ - IUPHAR\/BPS Guide to Pharmacology — IUPHAR\/BPS — https:\/\/www.guidetopharmacology.org\/ - RCSB Protein Data Bank (PDB) — RCSB PDB — https:\/\/www.rcsb.org\/ - NCBI Bookshelf — NIH\/NLM — https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/ --\u003e","brand":"Alomone Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53073010393453,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/7424\/7277\/files\/STC020_gr_984.jpg?v=1772699879","url":"https:\/\/www.ebiohippo.com\/products\/alpha-conotoxin-bt1-8-bhp21300142","provider":"BioHippo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}