Bungarotoxins are venom toxins from the many-banded krait (Bungarus Multicinctus), which inhibit neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction. Alpha-bungarotoxin is a potent inhibitor for the motor endplate acetylcholine receptor (Kd = 1 nM to 1 pM). Beta-bungarotoxin contains a small subunit that blocks voltage-gated K+ channels on the presynaptic membranes, and a large subunit that has phospholipase A2 activity. Fluorescent conjugates of alpha-bungarotoxin can be used to label acetylcholine receptors in skeletal muscle endplates.

Biotium offers a variety of bungarotoxin products, including conjugates of CF™ dyes, which offer advantages in brightness, photostability, and/or signal-to-noise ratio compared to other fluorescent dyes.

CF™ is a trademark of Biotium, Inc. Texas Red® is a registered trademark of Molecular Probes, Inc.