The Bi-Functional Paxilline Enriched in Skin Secretion of Tree Frogs () Targets the KCNK18 and BK Channels.

The skin secretion of tree frogs contains a vast array of bioactive chemicals for repelling predators, but their structural and functional diversity is not fully understood. Paxilline (PAX), a compound synthesized by has been known as a specific antagonist of large conductance Ca-activated K Channels (BK). Here, we report the presence of PAX in the secretions of tree frogs () and that this compound has a novel function of inhibiting the potassium channel subfamily K member 18 (KCNK18) channels of their predators.