T-VDA Ca2+

The calcium (Ca2+) channel Targeted Venom Discovery Array™ (T-VDA Ca2+) is specifically designed to maximise discovery of new tools. Ca2+ channels are important drug targets for a range of neurological disorders, specifically pain. Venoms from theraphosids (tarantulas), scorpions and snakes are rich sources of new Ca channel tools. These targeted arrays contain pure venom fractions from 12, 24, 48 or 96 species optimised for identification of novel tools. Each array contains characterised venoms active on calcium channels from the literature to act as positive controls. The control venoms for T-VDA Ca2+ include Parabuthus transvaalicus (South African fattail scorpion) which contains Kurtoxin with broad spectrum calcium channel activity L,T,N and P type channels [1]; Dendroaspis angusticeps (Eastern green mamba) venom which contains Calcicludin, a potent L-type calcium channel blocker [2]; and Hysterocrates gigas (Cameroon red baboon tarantula) venom which blocks N and E type calcium currents [3]. Other venom fractions making up the library have been specially selected by our drug discovery scientists to maximise novel hit potential.
• Venoms are supplied lyophilised in Echo qualified acoustic source plates (Labcyte Inc) and are useable on any SBS footprint liquid handling device or by hand.
• 384-well format has 200ng venom fraction per well, suggested dilution 20µl as hit fractions are typically active at 5µg/ml and below.
• 1536-well format also available.

Please contact us at for specific academic pricing.

Background

1. Chuang R.S.-I., Jaffe H., Cribbs L., Perez-Reyes E., Swartz K (1998). Inhibition of T-type voltage-gated calcium channels by a new scorpion toxin. J. Nat. Neurosci. 1:668-674
2. Schweitz H., Heurteaux C., Bois P., Moinier D., Romey G., Lazdunski M. (1994). Calcicludine, a venom peptide of the Kunitz-type protease inhibitor family, is a potent blocker of high-threshold Ca2+ channels with a high affinity for L-type channels in cerebellar granule neurons. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91:878-882
3. Newcomb R., Szoke B., Palma A., Wang G., Chen X.H., Hopkins W., Cong R., Miller J., Urge L., Tarczy- Hornoch K., Loo J.A., Dooley D.J., Nadasdi L., Tsien R.W., Lemos J., Miljanich G. (1998). Selective peptide antagonist of the class E calcium channel from the venom of the tarantula Hysterocrates gigas. Biochemistry 37:15353-15362

Target Information