4,9-Anhydrotetrodotoxin

Description:
4,9-Anhydrotetrodotoxin is a sodium citrate salt of 4,9-dihydro-4,9-dihydroxytetrodotoxin (anhydrotetrodotoxin). It has been shown to bind to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor on leukemic cells. The hydroxyl group of the cyclohexane ring interacts with the serine hydroxyl group of the receptor and stabilizes the binding. This toxin inhibits calcium ion influx into cells by blocking voltage-gated calcium channels. Chronic oral administration of this drug has been shown to induce clinical responses in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia who have not responded to other treatments. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) was used to purify 4,9-anhydrotetrodotoxin from a crude extract and monoclonal antibodies were developed for use in immunoassays.