title: Computational Studies of Venom Peptides Targeting Potassium Channels.
abstract: Small peptides isolated from the venom of animals are potential scaffolds for ion channel drug discovery. This review article mainly focuses on the computational studies that have advanced our understanding of how various toxins interfere with the function of K⁺ channels. We introduce the computational tools available for the study of toxin-channel interactions. We then discuss how these computational tools have been fruitfully applied to elucidate the mechanisms of action of a wide range of venom peptides from scorpions, spiders, and sea anemone.
authors.affiliation: Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton ACT 2601, Australia. rong.chen@anu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton ACT 2601, Australia. shin-ho.chung@anu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Shin-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D014688:Venoms / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D015221:Potassium Channels; D014688:Venoms
keywords: molecular dynamics; molecular modeling; peptide toxins; potassium channels