DTX, a single-chain polypeptide of M, 7000 from the venom of the eastern green mamba Dendroaspis angusticeps, has been shown to facilitate transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction (Harvey & Karlsson, 1982) and in the central nervous system (Docherty et al., 1983). It is highly toxic when administered centrally (Dolly et al., 19831, producing a convulsant action arising from its facilit...

As a family of hormones with pleiotropic effects, natriuretic peptide (NP) system includes atrial NP (ANP), B-type NP (BNP), C-type NP (CNP), dendroaspis NP and urodilatin, with NP receptor-A (guanylate cyclase-A), NP receptor-B (guanylate cyclase-B) and NP receptor-C (clearance receptor). These peptides are genetically distinct, but structurally and functionally related for regulating circulat...

BACKGROUND Snake envenoming is a significant public health problem in underdeveloped and developing countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that 90,000-400,000 envenomations occur each year, resulting in 3,500-32,000 deaths. Envenomings are caused by snakes from the Viperidae (Bitis spp. and Echis spp.) and Elapidae (Naja spp. and Dendroaspis spp.) families. The African continent has ...

As is well known, intravenously infused nesiritide [a recombinant form of brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] antagonizes renin– angiotensin–aldosterone system activation and induces natriuresis, diuresis, and venous and arterial dilation. When administered to patients with acutely decompensated heart failure, a rapid reduction of pulmonary capillary pressure and consequent relief of dyspnoea...

The natriuretic peptide family consists of a number of structurally homologous but genetically distinct polypeptide mediators. The peptides are highly conserved across mammalian and invertebrate species and, in humans, are released from various tissues in response to physiological and pathological stimuli. All the peptides have at their core a 17-amino acid disulfide ring essential for receptor...

Since the discovery of atrial natriuretic factor 25 years ago,1 there has been an explosion of research elucidating the basic biology of endogenous natriuretic peptides. Among other things, this work has established atrial natriuretic factor as one of a family of structurally similar endogenous natriuretic peptides with complex and distinct functional roles in maintaining normal homeostasis and...

The homologous Kunitz inhibitor proteins, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) and dendrotoxin I (DTX-I), interact with large conductance Ca 2 1 -activated K 1 channels (maxi-K Ca ) by binding to an intracellular site outside of the pore to produce discrete substate events. In contrast, certain homologues of the Shaker ball peptide produce discrete blocking events by binding within the io...

how to cite this article: sorkhi h, salehi omran mr, barari savadkoohi r, baghdadi f, nakhjavani n, bijani a. csws versus siadh as the probable causes of hyponatremia in children with acute cns disorders. iran j child neurol. 2013 summer;7(3): 34-39.   objective there is a major problem about the incidence, diagnosis, and differentiation of cerebral salt wasting syndrome (csws) and syndrome of ...