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Abstract
A new receptor based assay is described for the determination of toxins which have high affinities for the acetylcholine receptor. The method is based upon the hindrance of the normal binding of a synthetic enzyme-drug conjugate with a high affinity for the acetylcholine receptor protein by the presence of toxins acting as antagonists. The activity of the enzyme marker system, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase covalently conjugated to desipramine, is monitored by colorimetric detection of the rate for NADH formation at 340 nm. The procedure proposed is designed to provide a simple toxin screen which can be done in a minimally equipped laboratory while achieving the required sensitivity. The technique is illustrated for snake venoms from Bungarus multicintus, Naja naja, and the alkaloid tubocurarine. Aspecific binding responses are shown to have minimal effect on the assay.
