title: Isolation of Lys-conopressin-G from the venom of the worm-hunting snail, Conus imperialis.
abstract: Vasopressin homologs have previously been isolated from the venom of fish-hunting cone snails. We investigated whether a vasopressin-like peptide is found in the worm-hunter, Conus imperialis. Using i.c. injections in mice, we isolated a peptide from the venom of C. imperialis which induces scratching and grooming behavior characteristic of the conopressins. Biochemical characterization showed that this peptide is identical to Lys-conopressin-G. The results led us to speculate that the vasopressin-like peptides in Conus venoms may be examples of an evolving conversion of endogenous peptides for specialized venom uses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dykert
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rivier
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McIntosh
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008978:Mollusk Venoms / Q000737:chemistry*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012908:Snails / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008978:Mollusk Venoms; C076621:conopressin G; D010121:Oxytocin