What is "fasciculin"

n. (context biochemistry English) Any of a family of toxins, from the venom of the green mamba ''Dendroaspis angusticeps'', that cause severe fasciculations

Fasciculins are a class of actively toxic proteins found in certain snake venoms, notably some species of mamba. Investigations have revealed distinct forms in some green mamba venoms, in particular FAS1 and FAS2 Fasciculins are so called because they cause intense fasciculation in muscle fascicles of susceptible organisms, such as the preferred prey of the snakes. This effect helps to incapacitate the muscles, either killing the prey, or paralysing it so that the snake can swallow it.