µ/ω-TRTX-Tap1a

Overview

µ/ω-TRTX-Tap1a is a research-grade protein/peptide reagent used in research settings. It is commonly applied as a tool reagent related to NaV channels and T-type Ca2+ 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: 4182.7 Da, Formula: C174H258N52O55S7.
• Source / origin: Theraphosa apophysis (Goliath pinkfoot tarantula) (Pseudotheraphosa apophysis).
• Quality attributes: Purity: ≥98% (HPLC); Bioassay tested: Yes; Sterile / endotoxin-free: No.

Modifications

Disulfide bonds location: Cys3-Cys18, Cys10-Cys23, Cys17-Cys30

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/ω-TRTX-Tap1a (Tap1a) is a 35 amino acid peptidyl toxin originally isolated from the venom of the tarantula, Theraphosa apophysis. Tap1a inhibits voltage-gated sodium (NaV) and voltage-gated calcium (CaV)3 channels by inducing a hyperpolarizing shift in both voltage-dependent activation and steady state inactivation1. Tap1a specifically inhibits NaV1.7, NaV1.2, and CaV3.1 with nanomolar potency and NaV1.3, NaV1.6, NaV1.1, and CaV3.2 at low micromolar concentrations1. These ion channels participate in neuron polarization, transmission of somatosensory signals, as well as neuronal cell differentiation, death, and survival. Thus, they are involved in many diseases, including pain disorders, epilepsy, and age-related neurodegeneration.Spider peptides modulate an array of ion channels and receptor proteins. Knottins, which are a subtype of spider peptides, are also referred to as inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptides. ICK peptides harbor a disulfide-rich structural motif that forms a "knot", which confers high structural, thermal, and proteolytic stability. The modelled structure of Tap1a revealed an ICK fold typical of spider venom peptides, as well as a hydrophobic patch involved in the binding of spider venom peptides to CaV3 and NaV channels1.CaV3 are T-type, low voltage-gated calcium channels. Their electrophysiological properties include low voltage thresholds for activation and inactivation, rapid inactivation, and rebound bursting. These properties are responsible for the CaV3-mediated fine-tuned regulation of neuronal excitability in both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)2.CaV3.1 is highly expressed in the brain amygdala, subthalamic nuclei, cerebellum, and thalamus. In contrast, CaV3.1 is only moderately expressed in the heart. CaV3.1 participates in neuron polarization, synaptic transmission, as well as neuronal cell differentiation, death, and survival. CaV3.1 was implicated in the process of age-related neurodegeneration, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease3. Moreover, mutations in CaV3.1 have been shown to induce cerebellar ataxia. CaV3.2 channels are expressed in the thalamus where they play a role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. In addition, the constitutive deletion of the CaV3.2 gene alleviates acute pain, inflammatory pain, and chronic visceral pain in mice4.NaV1.1-1.9 are voltage-gated sodium channels. They open upon depolarization of the membrane and inactivate rapidly before returning to the closed state upon membrane hyperpolarization. The rapid influx of Na+ ions is vital to the generation and propagation of action potential (AP) as well as the transmission of somatosensory signals.NaV1.7 is expressed in the PNS, dorsal root ganglia neurons, visceral sensory neurons, olfactory sensory neurons, trigeminal ganglia, and sympathetic neurons. NaV1.7 gain-of-function mutations have been identified in patients with various pain disorders, such as inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD), small fiber neuropathy (SFN), and painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy5.NaV1.2 is abundantly expressed at the nodes of Ranvier and in the axon initial segment (AIS) during early development. NaV1.2 plays a dominant role in the initiation and propagation of APs. In mature neurons, NaV1.6 takes the role of AP initiation, and NaV1.2 merely augments APs. Pathogenic variants of NaV1.2 are common causes of neurodevelopmental disorders such as episodic ataxia, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability with and without seizures6.

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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