Voltage-dependent displacement of the scorpion toxin Ts3 from sodium channels and its implication on the control of inactivation

1 The voltage-dependent displacement of the scorpion Tityus serrulatus alpha-toxin Ts3 was investigated in native sodium channels of GH3 cells by examining the removal of its effects in toxin-free solution. 2 Toxin at saturating concentration was pulsed (similar to1 s) directly onto the cell, thus causing an eightfold increase of the slow component (tau(s)=6 ms) of fast inactivation, and a three-fold increase of the time constant of its fast component. 3 At 0 mV, maximal conductance was achieved in cells before and after treatment with Ts3, and no displacement of the toxin could be detected. 4 Toxin displacement occurred if stronger depolarising pulses (>100 mV) were applied. The rate of displacement depended on the amplitude and duration of the pulses, and was not related with outward Na+ flux. 5 We propose a model in which activation does not require complete movement of segment S4 of domain IV (IVS4) and that a more extensive movement of this segment is needed for normal fast inactivation. A kinetic model is presented that can account for the typical effects of site 3 toxins.