Probing central and peripheral calcium channel sybtypes with novel omega conotoxins

在大堡礁发现的吃鱼的锥螺中发现了新的毒素，包括ω - concontoxin CVID。这些毒素区分神经细胞上允许钙离子进入细胞和继续神经传递的离子通道受体。重要的是，CVID特异性和有效地阻断了传递疼痛反应的神经。该项目涉及了解这种作用的分子基础，目标是为设计更具选择性的药物提供基础，这些药物将减轻疼痛，同时减少副作用。

New toxins including omega-conotoxin CVID have been discovered from fish eating cone snails found on the Great Barrier Reef. These toxins discriminate between ion channel receptors on nerve cells that allow calcium ions to enter the cell and nerve transmission to continue. Of great importance is the fact that CVID specifically and potently blocks nerves that transmit pain responses. This project is involved with understanding the nolecular basis for this action with the goal of underpinning the design of even more selective agents that will ameliorate pain while reducing side effects.