| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mfr No | |
| Accession Number | |
| Activity | |
| Alternative Names | alpha-KTx 23.1, Potassium channel toxin alpha-KTx 23.1 |
| 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
Vm24 Toxin is a research-grade protein/peptide reagent used in research settings. It is commonly applied as a tool reagent related to Kv1.3 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: 1373890-79-9, MW: 3863.6 Da, Formula: C157H253N51O45S9.
- Source / origin: Vaejovis mexicanus smithi (Mexican scorpion) (Vaejovis smithi).
- Quality attributes: Purity: ≥98% (HPLC); Bioassay tested: Yes; Sterile / endotoxin-free: No.
Modifications
Disulfide bonds between: Cys6-Cys26, Cys12-Cys31, Cys16-Cys33, Cys21-Cys36 Cys36- 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
The Vm24 toxin, also known as Vaejovis mexicanus peptide 24, is a potent blocker of Kv1.3 in human lymphocytes. Isolated from the venom of the Mexican scorpion Vaejovis mexicanus smithi, Vm24 is a 36-residue peptide with a molecular mass of 3864 Da, and has been identified as the first example of a new subfamily of α-type K(+) ion channel blockers (α-KTx 23.1)1.Vm24, a natural immunosuppressive peptide, potently and selectively blocks Kv1.3 in human T cells with high affinity. The blockage of Kv1.3 channels in T cells is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus2.The voltage-gated potassium channel known as Kv1.3 (KCNA3) is expressed by a subset of chronically activated memory T cells and plays an important role in their activation and proliferation, especially in primary malignant T cells. The potent Kv1.3 inhibitor Vm24 inhibits CD3/CD28-induced proliferation and IL-9 expression, thus inhibiting activation-induced proliferation as well as cytokine and cytokine receptor expression in malignant T cells3.Due to its high specificity, the Vm24 toxin enables to define the downstream functions of Kv1.3 channels in human CD4+ TEM lymphocytes. Blocking Kv1.3 channels profoundly affects the mRNA synthesis machinery, the unfolded protein response and intracellular vesicle transport, impairing the synthesis and secretion of cytokines in response to TCR engagement. This underscores the role of Kv1.3 channels in regulating TEM lymphocyte function4.KV1.3 blockers change the course of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) development, reducing microglial cytotoxic activation and increasing neural stem cell differentiation. KV1.3 blockers inhibit microglia-mediated neurotoxicity in cell cultures, reducing the expression and production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α via the NF-kB and p38MAPK pathway. Microglia activation correlates with an increase in KV1.3 channel expression and current density. Several studies highlight the importance of KV1.3 in the activation of the inflammatory response and the inhibition of neural progenitor cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation. Thus, KV1.3 blockers such as Vm24 possess potential therapeutic benefits for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease5
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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Gurrola, G.B
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