Dendrotoxin-K is suitable for use as a potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 1 (Kv1.1) channel blocker in axon and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. It has also been used as a selective blocker of Kv channels in mice.

Dendrotoxin-K (DTXk) is isolated from mamba snake Dendroaspis polylepis and interacts with the β-turn region in the N-terminal sequence of the potassium channel. It inhibits tumor progression in gefitinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells. DTXk induces neuronal damage in the hippocampus via N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors.

Dendrotoxin-K inhibits potassium channels that contain Kv1.1 protein only.

This compound is featured on the Potassium Channels page of the Handbook of Receptor Classification and Signal Transduction. To browse other handbook pages, click here.

Isolated initially from Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis venom

Purified by a modification of the method of Schweitz.

Reconstitute in 1 mL deionized water or buffer (pH 7.5) to yield 10 μM stock