| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mfr No | |
| Accession Number | |
| Activity | |
| Alternative Names | Mu-conotoxin BuIIIA, NaV1.4 channels |
| 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
µ-Conotoxin BuIIIA is a research-grade protein/peptide reagent used in research settings. It is commonly applied as a tool reagent related to NaV1.2, NaV1.4 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: MW: 2751 Da, Formula: C106H172N44O31S6.
- Source / origin: Conus bullatus (Bubble cone).
- Quality attributes: Purity: ≥98% (HPLC); Bioassay tested: Yes; Sterile / endotoxin-free: No.
Modifications
Disulfide bonds between: Cys5-Cys16, Cys6-Cys22, and Cys12-Cys23 Cys23 - C-terminal amidation
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
μ-Conotoxins (μ-CTX) are peptide toxins that block voltage-gated Na+ channels (VGSCs), which are responsible for the influx of Na+ ions during action potentials in excitable tissues1.µ-Conotoxin BuIIIA is originally isolated from the venom of the cone snail Conus bullatus and acts as a selective and potent blocker of voltage-gated NaV1.2 and NaV1.4 channels. The conotoxin inhibits Na+ flux by blocking the Na+ channel pore.BuIIIA is considered to be part of a novel class of μ-conopeptides discovered from a newly defined class of fish-hunting cone snails, the Textilia clade. In addition, Conus bullatus peptides help define a new branch of the M-superfamily of conotoxins, namely M-5 due to a unique N-terminal extension. This N-terminus also exists in µ-Conotoxin BuIIIB and BuIIIC but absent in all other μ-conotoxins2,3.µ-Conotoxin BuIIIA is used to determine the structure-activity relationship of voltage-gated Na+ channels3.
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.
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Yao, S.
et al. (2008) Biochemistry47, 10940.
Kuang, Z.
et al. (2013) ACS Chem. Biol.8, 1344.
Holford, M.
et al. (2009) Toxicon 53, 90.
