Delta Conotoxins

"One of the most intriguing families of peptides is the relatively new "delta" conotoxins from snail-hunting cones. They attack Na channels, but do not compete with the well-known agents such as tetrodotoxin and mu-conotoxins. Chemically they are very unusual, with a core of disulfides that leaves no room for the usual burying of hydrophobic amino acids in the interior. These consequently are forced into the surrounding solvent . We suspect that the peptides may dissolve in the lipid membrane and interfere with opening and closing of Na channels by attacking from the side, rather than from the aqueous environment." (Source : Bill Gray )

• Watch this spot for additional information on delta conotoxins offered by Mike Fainzilber (August 1996).

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BGL, December 1997