Primary structure and synthesis of Imperatoxin A (IpTx(a)), a peptide activator of Ca2+ release channels/ryanodine receptors.

We present the complete amino acid sequence of Imperatoxin A (IpTx(a)), a 33-amino-acid peptide from the venom of the scorpion P. imperator which activates Ca2+ release channels/ryanodine receptors (RyR) of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The amino acid sequence of IpTx(a) shows no homology to any scorpion toxin so far described, but shares some homology to the amino acid sequence of Tx2-9 and agelenin, two spider toxins that target neuronal P-type Ca2+ channels. We also describe the total synthesis of IpTx(a) and demonstrate that it efficiently activates RyRs with potency and affinity identical to those of native IpTx(a). The use of synthetic IpTx(a) should help in the identification of the structural motifs of RyR critical for channel gating.