OMIA:002630-461245 : Tolerance to batrachotoxin (BTX) in Ifrita kowaldi

In other species: , , , rufous-naped whistler , Rusty pitohui , Black pitohui

Categories: Nervous system phene , Muscle phene

Links to MONDO diseases: No links.

Mendelian trait/disorder: unknown

Considered a defect: no

Cross-species summary: Batrachotoxin (BTX) is a cardio- and neurotoxic steroidal alkaloid found in beetles, birds and frogs. BTX binds to voltage-gated sodium ion channels (coded for by SCN genes), leading to muscle paralysis and death. Several species of animals with a tolerance or auto-resistance to BTX, acquire BTX in their diet and transport BTX to their skin and/or feathers as a defence mechanism or possible parasite deterrence.

Reference

2000 Dumbacher, J.P., Spande, T.F., Daly, J.W. :
Batrachotoxin alkaloids from passerine birds: a second toxic bird genus (Ifrita kowaldi) from New Guinea. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97:12970-5, 2000. Pubmed reference: 11035772 . DOI: 10.1073/pnas.200346897.

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  • Created by Imke Tammen2 on 17 Feb 2023