A Novel Class of Peptide Toxins from Conus Californicus: Biological Activities and Mechanisms of Production

加州芋螺中一类新型肽毒素：生物活性和产生机制

• 批准号: 0131788
• 负责人: William Gilly
• 金额: $ 35.25万
• 依托单位: Stanford University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-05-01 至 2007-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0131788&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Novel; Class; Peptide; Toxins; Conus

Marine cone snails of the genus Conus are predators that paralyze their prey by injecting potent neurotoxins. These toxins are peptides (11-45 amino acids long) that target ion channels crucial for normal electrochemical activity in nerve and muscle cells. A novel toxin has been discovered in one species, Conus californicus, which is a non-selective predator on worms, snails and fish. This toxins blocks nerve transmission by targeting voltage-gated sodium channels. This project uses biochemical, biophysical, and molecular approaches to elucidate the chemical structure of this peptide toxin, its mechanism of action, and its specificity profile, and to localize and clarify the basic biology of the venom production in this animal. Results will be important in developing a new experimental reagent for basic research on channels, and in understanding how different toxic peptides are made and used by these snails in a biologically relevant context. This lab also will continue important multi-disciplinary training of undergraduates in neuroscience.

芋螺属的海洋锥形螺是通过注射强效神经毒素麻痹猎物的捕食者。 这些毒素是肽（11-45个氨基酸长），靶向对神经和肌肉细胞中的正常电化学活性至关重要的离子通道。 一种新的毒素已经在一个物种中发现，加利福尼亚芋螺，这是一种对蠕虫，蜗牛和鱼类的非选择性捕食者。 这种毒素通过靶向电压门控钠通道来阻断神经传递。 该项目使用生物化学，生物物理学和分子方法来阐明这种肽毒素的化学结构，其作用机制及其特异性特征，并定位和澄清这种动物中毒液产生的基本生物学。 结果将是重要的，在开发一种新的实验试剂的基础研究渠道，并在了解不同的有毒肽是如何制造和使用这些蜗牛在生物学相关的背景下。 该实验室还将继续对神经科学本科生进行重要的多学科培训。