Two tarantula venom peptides as potent and differential Na(V) channels blockers.

Voltage dependent sodium (Na(V)) channels are large membrane spanning proteins which lie in the basis of action potential generation and propagation in excitable cells and hence are essential mediators of neuronal signaling. Inhibition of Na(V) channel activity is one of the core mechanisms to treat conditions related to neuronal hyperexcitability, such as epilepsy in the clinic. Na(V) channel blockers are also extensively used to locally inhibit action potential generation and related pain perceptions in the form of local anesthetics.