Conus toxins: targets and properties.
The venoms from Conus snails are rich in peptides with potent specificity for mammalian receptor sites. Each venom typically contains up to 100 conopeptides, and with approximately 500 species of Conus snail, the number of active peptides is considerable. The receptor sites targeted appear to be mostly linked to ion channels, with voltage-gated, ligand-gated and G-protein linked sites identified. Both the central and peripheral nervous system present possible physiological targets for therapeutic products derived from the venoms, although the molecules in the most advanced development target the central nervous system. In turn, this presents problems of bioavailability, while the potency is a potential source of toxicity.
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Christine E
CE
The Open University, Department of Biological Sciences, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA UK. moore11@globalnet.co.uk
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D008978:Mollusk Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000187:drug effects; D009626:Terminology as Topic
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled