Question

The Japanese pufferfish produces a highly potent neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin (TTX). TTX binds to voltage-gated sodium channels, preventing them from opening. Ingestion of TTX causes numbness of the lips and tongue, followed rapidly by weakness, loss of coordination, and a sensation of limpness and weakness throughout the body. Relatively small doses of TTX can kill a person.How exactly do you think TTX kills?

Answer 1

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a natural toxin which has proved effective in the biophysical characterization and molecular identification of sodium-channel populations in numerous preparations.Tetrodotoxin causes paralysis by affecting the sodium ion transport in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. A low dose of tetrodotoxin produces tingling sensations and numbness around the mouth, fingers, and toes. Higher doses produce nausea, vomiting, respiratory failure, difficulty walking, extensive paralysis, and death. As little as 1–4 mg of the toxin can kill an adult.In the body, tetrodotoxin blocks sodium channels that enable nerves to fire. It kills because nerves no longer trigger muscle movement controlling breathing and the victim suffocates. The toxin can also induce heart failure. There is no antidote and treatment is to support breathing artificially until the body excretes the toxin naturally.