tetrodotoxin

(noun)

Frequently abbreviated as TTX, a potent neurotoxin that can induce paralysis by blocking action potentials in nerves by binding to voltage-gated sodium channels.

Related Terms

Examples of tetrodotoxin in the following topics:

  • Paralysis

    • An example of a paralyzing toxin is the tetrodotoxin of fish species such as the pufferfish of Japanese fugu.
    • Tetrodotoxin binds sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing signaling.
    • A well-known example is the tetrodotoxin of fish species such as Takifugu rubripes, the famously lethal pufferfish of Japanese fugu.
    • Tetrodotoxin, frequently abbreviated as TTX, is a potent neurotoxin with no known antidote, produced by the lethal pufferfish used for Japanese fugu.

  • Some Polycyclic Heterocycles

    • The neurotoxins saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin both have marine origins and are characterized by guanidiniun moieties.