Penitrem A

Fungal mycotoxin. Selective, irreversible blocker of the smooth muscle high conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK, KCa1.1) channel (100% block at 10 nM) .1 Displays brain neurotoxicity in rats along with dose-dependent convulsions and death.2 An important tool for studying the role of BK channels in vascular function which is effective in cellular, tissue and in vivo experiments.3 Inhibits BK channels in inside-out and cell-attached patches, whereas iberiotoxin (considered the gold standard BK channel blocker) does not.3 May be used to partially ablate Purkinje cells in immature rat cerebellum providing a model for neural stem cell transplantation studies.4 CAUTION: Potent Toxin. Take proper precautions to prevent ingestion, inhalation and skin contact.