To date, cone snail toxins ("conotoxins") are of great interest in the pursuit of novel subtype-selective modulators of voltage-gated sodium channels (Na(v)s). Na(v)s participate in a wide range of electrophysiological processes. Consequently, their malfunctioning has been associated with numerous diseases ...
To date, cone snail toxins ("conotoxins") are of great interest in the pursuit of novel subtype-selective modulators of voltage-gated sodium channels (Na(v)s). Na(v)s participate in a wide range of electrophysiological processes. Consequently, their malfunctioning has been associated with numerous diseases. The development of subtype-selective modulators of Na(v)s remains highly important in the treatment of such disorders. In current research, a series of novel, synthetic, and bioactive compounds were designed based on two naturally occurring μ-conotoxins that target Na(v)s. The initial designed peptide contains solely 13 amino acids and was therefore named "Mini peptide." It was derived from the μ-conotoxins KIIIA and BuIIIC. Based on this Mini peptide, 10 analogues were subsequently developed, comprising 12-16 amino acids with two disulfide bridges. Following appropriate folding and mass verification, blocking effects on Na(v)s were investigated. The most promising compound established an IC(50) of 34.1 ± 0.01 nM (R2-Midi on Na(v)1.2). An NMR structure of one of our most promising compounds was determined. Surprisingly, this structure does not reveal an α-helix. We prove that it is possible to design small peptides based on known pharmacophores of μ-conotoxins without losing their potency and selectivity. These data can provide crucial material for further development of conotoxin-based therapeutics.
Organizational Affiliation:
Laboratory of Toxicology, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O and N2, Herestraat 49 Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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