title: The Structural Features of α-Conotoxin Specifically Target Different Isoforms of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.
abstract: α-Conotoxins (α-Ctxs) are the major class of Ctxs extracted from the venom of marine cone snails. Most α-Ctxs specifically target various subtypes of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with high affinity and potency as antagonists. Therefore, they may be used for the treatment of numerous diseases that nAChRs involved. The subtype affinity and selectivity of α-Ctxs arise from their amino acid composition and geometric conformation of microsites. To reveal the structural features of α-Ctxs, detailed structural information on the various nAChR subtypes and their ligand complexes is needed. This review article provides an overview of the structural data on α-Ctx-nAChR interactions to investigate the prediction and evaluation of the affinity and selectivity of α-Ctx.
authors.forename: Rui-Jie
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, 132 Outer Ring Road, Guangzhou University City, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510006, People's Republic of China. lssxh@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D020916:Conotoxins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008024:Ligands; D008958:Models, Molecular; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011487:Protein Conformation / Q000187:drug effects; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D020916:Conotoxins; D008024:Ligands; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic