Characterization of the mechanism underlying stonustoxin-mediated relaxant response in the rat aorta in vitro.

Stonustoxin (SNTX) is a lethal factor isolated from the venom of the stonefish Synanceja horrida. Although SNTX exhibits a multitude of biological activities, the primary cause of death upon administration of the toxin is attributed to marked hypotension. We investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the vascular hyporeactivity of this novel toxin.