their functional effects. Beta (β) toxins shift the voltage-dependence of activation to more negative potentials, making the channel more likely to open at membrane potentials where activation would normally not occur. Alpha (α) toxins inhibit the fast inactivation mechanism, prolonging Na+ current through the channel. The toxins are used in insecticides, vaccines, and protein engineering scaffolds. The toxins are now used to treat cancer patients by injecting fluorescent scorpion toxin into cancerous tissue to show tumor boundaries. Scorpion toxin genes are also used to kill insect pests by creating hypervirulent fungus in the insect through gene insertion. Subfamilies Neurotoxin References External links Scorpion short toxins in PROSITE Science News: Scorpion Toxin Tells an Evolutionary Tale Protein toxins Peripheral membrane proteins