Apamin is a polypeptide neurotoxin derived from bee (Apis mellifera) venom [1-2]. Apamin is a highly selective small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (SK channel, especially the SK2 subtype; IC₅₀=0.06–0.4nM) blocker. Apamin enhances neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity by preventing the hyperpolarization phase following neuronal action potentials, thereby influencing physiological functions such as learning and memory[3-4].
In vitro, Apamin (0.1μM) treatment of differentiated N1E 115 neuroblastoma cells for 2 minutes selectively blocks Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels, increasing neuronal excitability[5]. In SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells pretreated with Apamin (0.5μg/mL) for 1 hour, followed by stimulation with 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP⁺; 3mM) for 12–24 hours, Apamin significantly inhibits the downregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression and abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein (αSYN), while reducing mitochondrial membrane potential disruption and apoptosis by blocking SK2 channel-mediated calcium overload[6].
In vivo, in a cholestatic liver fibrosis model induced by 3,5-Diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-Dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet, intraperitoneal injection of Apamin (0.1mg/kg) twice weekly for 4 weeks in 8-week-old C57BL/6 male mice significantly alleviates DDC-induced liver tissue damage and collagen deposition[7]. In a lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10mg/kg)-induced acute kidney injury model, a single intraperitoneal injection of Apamin (0.1mg/kg) in 8-week-old C57BL/6N male mice significantly improves LPS-induced renal dysfunction and kidney tissue damage[8].
References:
[1] Gu H, Han SM, Park KK. Therapeutic Effects of Apamin as a Bee Venom Component for Non-Neoplastic Disease. Toxins (Basel). 2020 Mar 19;12(3):195.
[2] Laurindo LF, de Lima EP, Laurindo LF, et al. The therapeutic potential of bee venom-derived Apamin and Melittin conjugates in cancer treatment: A systematic review. Pharmacol Res. 2024 Nov;209:107430.
[3] Strong PN, Stocker M, Jenkinson DH. Apamin binding proteins and oligosaccharyltransferases. Toxicon. 1996 May;34(5):507-9.
[4] Lazdunski M, Fosset M, Hughes M, et al. The apamin-sensitive Ca2+-dependent K+ channel molecular properties, differentiation and endogenous ligands in mammalian brain. Biochem Soc Symp. 1985;50:31-42.
[5] Hugues M, Romey G, Duval D, et al. Apamin as a selective blocker of the calcium-dependent potassium channel in neuroblastoma cells: voltage-clamp and biochemical characterization of the toxin receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1982 Feb;79(4):1308-12.
[6] Park J, Jang KM, Park KK. Effects of Apamin on MPP+-Induced Calcium Overload and Neurotoxicity by Targeting CaMKII/ERK/p65/STAT3 Signaling Pathways in Dopaminergic Neuronal Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Dec 3;23(23):15255.
[7] Kim JY, An HJ, Kim WH, et al. Apamin suppresses biliary fibrosis and activation of hepatic stellate cells. Int J Mol Med. 2017 May;39(5):1188-1194.
[8] Kim JY, Leem J, Park KK. Antioxidative, Antiapoptotic, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Apamin in a Murine Model of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Kidney Injury. Molecules. 2020 Dec 3;25(23):5717.
Apamin是一种来源于蜜蜂（Apis mellifera）毒液的多肽神经毒素[1-2]。Apamin作为高选择性小电导钙激活钾通道（SK通道，尤其是SK2亚型；IC₅₀=0.06–0.4nM）的阻断剂，Apamin通过抑制神经元动作电位后的超极化过程，增强神经元兴奋性和突触可塑性，进而调控学习记忆等生理功能[3-4]。
在体外，Apamin（0.1μM）处理分化型N1E 115神经母细胞瘤细胞2分钟，Apamin可阻断Ca²⁺依赖性K⁺通道，增强神经元兴奋性[5]。Apamin（0.5μg/mL）预处理SH-SY5Y人神经母细胞瘤细胞及大鼠胚胎原代中脑多巴胺能神经元1小时，随后以1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium（MPP⁺；3mM）刺激12–24小时，Apamin显著抑制酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）表达下调及α-突触核蛋白（αSYN）异常聚集，同时通过阻断SK2通道介导的钙超载减轻线粒体膜电位紊乱和细胞凋亡[6]。
在体内，在3,5-Diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-Dihydrocollidine（DDC）饮食诱导的胆汁淤积性肝纤维化模型中，8周龄C57BL/6雄性小鼠每周两次腹腔注射Apamin（0.1mg/kg），持续4周，Apamin可显著减轻DDC引起的肝组织损伤和胶原沉积[7]。在脂多糖（LPS；10mg/kg）诱导的急性肾损伤模型中，8周龄C57BL/6N雄性小鼠单次腹腔注射Apamin（0.1mg/kg），24小时后，Apamin显著改善LPS导致的肾功能障碍和肾组织损伤[8]。