Phylogenetic survey of soluble saxitoxin-binding activity in pursuit of the function and molecular evolution of saxiphilin, a relative of transferrin

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Vol. 264; no. 1383; pp. 891 - 902
• Main Authors: Llewellyn, Lyndon E., Bell, Peter M., Moczydlowski, Edward G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 22.06.1997
• Subjects: Amphibian Proteins; Animals; Binding sites; Biochemistry; Blood plasma; Carrier Proteins - genetics; Carrier Proteins - metabolism; Crabs; Evolution, Molecular; Hemolymph; Humans; Invertebrates; Mammals; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Saxitoxin - metabolism; Snakes; Transferrin - genetics; Transferrins; Vertebrates

Saxiphilin is a soluble protein of unknown function which binds the neurotoxin, saxitoxin (STX), with high affinity. Molecular characterization of saxiphilin from the North American bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, has previously shown that it is a member of the transferrin family. In this study we surve...