| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mfr No | |
| Accession Number | |
| Activity | |
| Alternative Names | Tau-theraphotoxin-Hs1a-K2, Tau-TRTX-Hs1a-K2 |
| 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
DkTx-K2 is a research-grade protein/peptide reagent used in research settings. It is commonly applied as a tool reagent related to TRPV1 channel 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: MW: 3675.3 Da, Formula: C159H233N43O46S6.
- Source / origin: Cyriopagopus schmidti (Chinese bird spider) (Haplopelma schmidti).
- Quality attributes: Purity: >96% (HPLC); Bioassay tested: Yes; Sterile / endotoxin-free: No.
Modifications
Disulfide bonds between: Cys2-Cys16, Cys9-Cys21, Cys15-Cys29
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
Double-knot toxin-K2 (DkTx-K2) is one of the two inhibitory cysteine-knot (ICK) lobes that are the receptor-binding subunits of the full-length DkTx toxin (1,2). DkTx, a peptide toxin originally isolated from the venom of the Chinese bird spider Cyriopagopus schmidti (formerly known as Ornithoctonus huwena), selectively and irreversibly activates the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel by targeting the outer pore domain (1). The two ICK motifs that comprise DkTx (K1 and K2) are highly homologous yet differ in their potency, affinity, and binding orientation to the TRPV1 channel.Full-length DkTx partitions into the cellular membrane and binds bivalently to TRPV1, triggering long-lasting channel activation. In contrast, its monovalent single knots partition into the membrane poorly and activate TRPV1 in a rapidly reversible manner (3-6). DkTx-K2 is a more effective activator of TRPV1 than K1, since K2 binds to the outer channel as part of a protein-protein interface, while K1 initiates membrane interaction. DkTx-K2 therefore binds TRPV1 with higher affinity than K1 (1-3), which makes it a more flexible and specific research tool than native DkTx or capsaicin.One of the most versatile pain receptors, TRPV1, is expressed in nociceptors and plays important roles in the transduction of noxious stimuli and thermosensation. In addition, TRPV1 is widely expressed in non-neuronal cells and has been shown to play an important role in the immune systeM As a receptor for multiple injurious stimuli, TRPV1 has emerged as a new and promising target for developing analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs (7,8).
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.
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