Waglerin-1

Waglerin-1 (Wtx-1) is a peptide originally isolated from the venom of the Wagler’s pit viper (Trimeresurus wagleri) . This 22 amino-acid peptide is a competitive antagonist of muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Waglerin-1 competes with α-bungarotoxin.Waglerin-1 is an interesting tool to discriminate between fetal and adult muscle nAChRs as it binds to the α-ε subunit interface with a ~ 2000 fold higher affinity than to the α-γ or α-δ subunits. Waglerin-1 is known to bind 100 fold more potently to nAChR from adult mice than that from rat or humans. It blocks muscle nAChR from adult mice with an IC50 value of 50nM.Some studies have demonstrated that Waglerin-1 has an effect on ionotropic GABA receptors. It may potentiate or depress I (GABA) depending on the neurons.Some derivatives of Waglerin-1 are currently used in cosmetics to reduce wrinkles.