Expression, Purification, and Functional Analysis of Micrurotoxin Peptide Toxins: Mechanisms of Interaction with GABAA Receptors

<p dir="ltr">MmTx, a snake venom three-finger toxin, is a small disulfide-rich peptide with potential biomedical applications. γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAA receptors) are critical inhibitory ion channels that regulate brain activity. This study explored the interaction between MmTx and GABAA receptors, revealing that MmTx alone has no effect but enhances receptor currents when co-applied with GABA. Importantly, receptors containing β2 or β3 subunits showed strong potentiation (150–200%), while those with β1 subunits displayed only modest effects (20–50%). These findings uncover a novel β-subunit–dependent mechanism of modulation, advancing understanding of receptor regulation and highlighting translational value for drug discovery.</p>