Changes

A neurotoxin found in a wide variety [[animal]]s, most notably the Japanese [[puffer fish]] ''fugu''; however, there is good evidence that the toxin is actually produced by bacteria within these animals.  For instance, fish grown in tanks do not produce toxin until fed tissue from toxin-producing fish <ref> http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/ttx/ttx.htm </ref>

'''Tetrodotoxin''' is a neurotoxin found in a wide variety [[animal]]s, most notably the Japanese [[puffer fish]] ''fugu''; however, there is good evidence that the toxin is actually produced by bacteria within these animals.  For instance, fish grown in tanks do not produce toxin until fed tissue from toxin-producing fish <ref> http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/ttx/ttx.htm </ref>

The toxin binds to a subset of voltage-gated [[sodium]] channels in the central nervous system, preventing the channels from opening and so preventing nerve function.  This activity has proved very useful in laboratory experiments to determine how nerves work.

The toxin binds to a subset of voltage-gated [[sodium]] channels in the central nervous system, preventing the channels from opening and so preventing nerve function.  This activity has proved very useful in laboratory experiments to determine how nerves work.