Conotoxins: Novel probes for ion channel structure and function

芋螺毒素：离子通道结构和功能的新型探针。电压依赖和配基门控的离子通道是一种固有的膜蛋白，在可兴奋细胞，特别是神经系统中的通讯中起着核心作用。该项目的主要目标是(I)在分子水平上确定离子通道/芋螺毒素相互作用的结构和功能决定因素，以及(Ii)开发促进神经生理学研究的新探针。分子生物学和芋螺毒素探针的使用揭示了离子通道类型和亚型的多样性和分布，为未来离子通道疗法的发展提供了令人兴奋的机会。

Conotoxins: Novel probes for ion channel structure and function. Voltage-dependent and ligand-gated ion channels are intrinsic membrane proteins that play a central role in communication in excitable cells, particularly in the nervous system. The primary goals of this project are (i) to define at a molecular level, the structural and functional determinants of ion channel/conotoxin interactions and (ii) develop new probes that advance neurophysiological research. The diversity and distribution of ion channel types and subtypes being uncovered through the use of molecular biology and conotoxin probes presents an exciting opportunity for the future development of novel ion channel therapeutics.