[Ion channels--target proteins for some animal toxins]

Advances in molecular biology along with improvements in electrophysiological techniques have increased the knowledge in the structure and function of many ion channels. Voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels may become sensitive to biologically active substances such as animal toxins. Study of animal toxins can help to understand the molecular mechanisms of their action, but it can also reveal the tools for the future study of molecular physiology of ion channels.