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Wang Y, Song C, Xing Y, Shen S, Bo T, Zhang N, Wang J, Shi T, Huo S. l-Methionine Selenoxide as an Oxidizing and Deprotection Reagent for the Synthesis of Multiple Disulfide Bonds in Peptides. J Org Chem 2023; 88:8123-8132. [PMID: 37235643 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The regioselective synthesis of multiple disulfide bonds in peptides has been a significant challenge in synthetic peptide chemistry. In this work, two disulfide bonds in peptides were regioselectively synthesized via an approach of MetSeO oxidation and deprotection reaction (SeODR), in which the first disulfide bond was constructed through oxidation of dithiol by MetSeO in a neutral buffer, and the second disulfide bond was then directly constructed through the deprotection of two Acm groups or one Acm group and one Thz group by MetSeO in acidic media. Synthesis of two disulfide bonds by the SeODR approach was achieved through a one-pot manner. Moreover, the SeODR approach is compatible with the synthesis of peptides containing methionine residues. Both H+ and Br- drastically promoted the reaction rate of SeODR. The mechanistic picture for the SeODR approach was delineated, in which the formation of a stable Se-X-S bridge as the transition state plays a critical role. The SeODR approach was also utilized to construct the three disulfide bonds in linaclotide, conferring a reasonable yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafang Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei Province, China
| | - Changying Song
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yueyue Xing
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei Province, China
| | - Shigang Shen
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei Province, China
| | - Tianyu Bo
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei Province, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jixu Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei Province, China
| | - Tiesheng Shi
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang 277160, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shuying Huo
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei Province, China
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Xing Y, Wang Y, Ma D, Shen S, Song C, Zhang N, Bo T, Shi T, Huo S. N-Halosuccinimides mediated deprotection of cysteine-S protecting groups for one-pot regioselective synthesis of disulfide bonds in peptides under mild aqueous conditions. Tetrahedron Lett 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2023.154459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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3
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Wiere S, Sugai C, Espiritu MJ, Aurelio VP, Reyes CD, Yuzon N, Whittal RM, Tytgat J, Peigneur S, Bingham JP. Research into the Bioengineering of a Novel α-Conotoxin from the Milked Venom of Conus obscurus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12096. [PMID: 36292948 PMCID: PMC9602734 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The marine cone snail produces one of the fastest prey strikes in the animal kingdom. It injects highly efficacious venom, often causing prey paralysis and death within seconds. Each snail has hundreds of conotoxins, which serve as a source for discovering and utilizing novel analgesic peptide therapeutics. In this study, we discovered, isolated, and synthesized a novel α3/5-conotoxins derived from the milked venom of Conus obscurus (α-conotoxin OI) and identified the presence of α-conotoxin SI-like sequence previously found in the venom of Conus striatus. Five synthetic analogs of the native α-conotoxin OI were generated. These analogs incorporated single residue or double residue mutations. Three synthetic post-translational modifications (PTMs) were synthetically incorporated into these analogs: N-terminal truncation, proline hydroxylation, and tryptophan bromination. The native α-conotoxin OI demonstrated nanomolar potency in Poecilia reticulata and Homosapiens muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) isoforms. Moreover, the synthetic α-[P9K] conotoxin OI displayed enhanced potency in both bioassays, ranging from a 2.85 (LD50) to 18.4 (IC50) fold increase in comparative bioactivity. The successful incorporation of PTMs, with retention of both potency and nAChR isoform selectivity, ultimately pushes new boundaries of peptide bioengineering and the generation of novel α-conotoxin-like sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Wiere
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai’i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Christopher Sugai
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai’i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Michael J. Espiritu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai’i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR 97123, USA
| | - Vincent P. Aurelio
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai’i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Chloe D. Reyes
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai’i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Nicole Yuzon
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai’i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Randy M. Whittal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N II, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N II, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jon-Paul Bingham
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai’i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Wilhelm P, Luna-Ramirez K, Chin YKY, Dekan Z, Abraham N, Tae HS, Chow CY, Eagles DA, King GF, Lewis RJ, Adams DJ, Alewood PF. Cysteine-Rich α-Conotoxin SII Displays Novel Interactions at the Muscle Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1245-1250. [PMID: 35357806 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Conotoxins that target muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) commonly fall into two structural classes, frameworks I and II containing two and three disulfide bonds, respectively. Conotoxin SII is the sole member of the cysteine-rich framework II with ill-defined interactions at the nAChRs. Following directed synthesis of α-SII, NMR analysis revealed a well-defined structure containing a 310-helix frequently employed by framework I α-conotoxins; α-SII acted at the muscle nAChR with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 120 nM (adult) and 370 nM (fetal) though weakly at neuronal nAChRs. Truncation of α-SII to a two disulfide bond amidated peptide with framework I disulfide connectivity led to similar activity. Surprisingly, the more constrained α-SII was less stable under mild reducing conditions and displayed a unique docking mode at the nAChR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Wilhelm
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Karen Luna-Ramirez
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Yanni K.-Y. Chin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zoltan Dekan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nikita Abraham
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Han-Shen Tae
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Chun Yuen Chow
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David A. Eagles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David J. Adams
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Ma D, Sun J, Shen S, Chen H, Xu W, Wang Y, Song C, Shi T, Huo S. Deprotection of S-Acetamidomethyl and 1,3-Thiazolidine-4-Carbonyl Protecting Groups from Cysteine Side Chains in Peptides by trans-[PtX 2(CN) 4] 2-: One-Pot Regioselective Synthesis of Disulfide Bonds. J Org Chem 2022; 87:1470-1476. [PMID: 34985274 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c02793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we developed an efficient approach for disulfide bond formation in peptides utilizing the Pt(IV) complex trans-[PtBr2(CN)4]2- to mediate Acm and Thz deprotections. [PtBr2(CN)4]2- can oxidatively deprotect two Acm groups or deprotect one Thz group and one Acm group to directly form an intramolecular disulfide bond in peptides. Several disulfide-containing peptides with excellent yields were achieved via the deprotection method in an aqueous medium under aerobic conditions. Kinetic studies indicated that the dominant path of the reaction is of first-order in both [Pt(IV)] and [peptide]; moreover, the deprotection rate increased dramatically with the addition of NaBr. A mechanism including a bromide-bridge-mediated electron transfer process was proposed. Apamin, α-conotoxin SI, and the parallel homodimer of oxytocin, all containing two disulfide bonds, were synthesized regioselectively through a one-pot method by the combined use of the above deprotection approach with oxidants l-methionine selenoxide and [PtBr2(CN)4]2-. All of the reactions were completed within 30 min to afford good yields for these peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongying Ma
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Sun
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Shigang Shen
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Hua Chen
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Wenzhi Xu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Yafang Wang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Changying Song
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Tiesheng Shi
- College of Chemistry Chemical Engineering and Material Science, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang 277160, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Shuying Huo
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, and MOE Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei, P. R. China
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Ma X, Huang Q, Yu S, Xu S, Huang Y, Zhao Z, Xiao X, Dai Q. The 3/4- and 3/6-Subfamily Variants of α-Conotoxins GI and MI Exhibit Potent Inhibitory Activity against Muscular Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19120705. [PMID: 34940704 PMCID: PMC8704989 DOI: 10.3390/md19120705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Conotoxins GI and MI belong to the 3/5 subfamily of α-conotoxins and potently inhibit muscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). To date, no 3/4- or 3/6-subfamily α-conotoxins have been reported to inhibit muscular nAChRs. In the present study, a series of new 3/4-, 3/6-, and 3/7-subfamily GI and MI variants were synthesized and functionally characterized by modifications of loop2. The results show that the 3/4-subfamily GI variant GI[∆8G]-II and the 3/6-subfamily variants GI[+13A], GI[+13R], and GI[+13K] displayed potent inhibition of muscular nAChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes, with an IC50 of 45.4–73.4 nM, similar to or slightly lower than that of wild-type GI (42.0 nM). The toxicity of these GI variants in mice appeared to be about a half to a quarter of that of wild-type GI. At the same time, the 3/7-subfamily GI variants showed significantly lower in vitro potency and toxicity. On the other hand, similar to the 3/6-subfamily GI variants, the 3/6-subfamily MI variants MI[+14R] and MI[+14K] were also active after the addition of a basic amino acid, Arg or Lys, in loop2, but the activity was not maintained for the 3/4-subfamily MI variant MI[∆9G]. Interestingly, the disulfide bond connectivity “C1–C4, C2–C3” in the 3/4-subfamily variant GI[∆8G]-II was significantly more potent than the “C1–C3, C2–C4” connectivity found in wild-type GI and MI, suggesting that disulfide bond connectivity is easily affected in the rigid 3/4-subfamily α-conotoxins and that the disulfide bonds significantly impact the variants’ function. This work is the first to demonstrate that 3/4- and 3/6-subfamily α-conotoxins potently inhibit muscular nAChRs, expanding our knowledge of α-conotoxins and providing new motifs for their further modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Ma
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (X.M.); (Q.H.); (S.Y.); (S.X.); (Y.H.); (Z.Z.)
- Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Henyang 421000, China
| | - Qiuyuan Huang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (X.M.); (Q.H.); (S.Y.); (S.X.); (Y.H.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Shuo Yu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (X.M.); (Q.H.); (S.Y.); (S.X.); (Y.H.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Shujing Xu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (X.M.); (Q.H.); (S.Y.); (S.X.); (Y.H.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Yue Huang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (X.M.); (Q.H.); (S.Y.); (S.X.); (Y.H.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhiming Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (X.M.); (Q.H.); (S.Y.); (S.X.); (Y.H.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xinrong Xiao
- Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Henyang 421000, China
- Correspondence: (X.X.); (Q.D.); Tel.: +86-10-6694-8897 (Q.D.)
| | - Qiuyun Dai
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (X.M.); (Q.H.); (S.Y.); (S.X.); (Y.H.); (Z.Z.)
- Correspondence: (X.X.); (Q.D.); Tel.: +86-10-6694-8897 (Q.D.)
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General synthetic strategy for regioselective ultrafast formation of disulfide bonds in peptides and proteins. Nat Commun 2021; 12:870. [PMID: 33558523 PMCID: PMC7870662 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21209-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite six decades of efforts to synthesize peptides and proteins bearing multiple disulfide bonds, this synthetic challenge remains an unsolved problem in most targets (e.g., knotted mini proteins). Here we show a de novo general synthetic strategy for the ultrafast, high-yielding formation of two and three disulfide bonds in peptides and proteins. We develop an approach based on the combination of a small molecule, ultraviolet-light, and palladium for chemo- and regio-selective activation of cysteine, which enables the one-pot formation of multiple disulfide bonds in various peptides and proteins. We prepare bioactive targets of high therapeutic potential, including conotoxin, RANTES, EETI-II, and plectasin peptides and the linaclotide drug. We anticipate that this strategy will be a game-changer in preparing millions of inaccessible targets for drug discovery.
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Konno H, Yasumiishi H, Aoki R, Nitanai I, Yano S. Detection of Thiol Functionality and Disulfide Bond Formation by Polyoxometalate. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2020; 22:745-749. [PMID: 33030888 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.0c00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The detection of thiol functionality and intramolecular disulfide bond formation of peptides using the α-Keggin type polyoxometalate molybdenum-oxygen cluster (H3PMo12O40·nH2O) is described. Our method entails the addition of this polyoxometalate to solutions of thiol, whereupon the color of the solution changes from colorless to deep blue. Reduction of the polyoxometalate from Mo(VI) to Mo(V) occurs with concomitant oxidation of the thiol functionality, to form disulfide bonds. To exemplify the utility this phenomenon, we accomplished the oxidation of glutathione, reduced linear oxytocin, bactenecin, and α-conotoxin SI; all of which proceeded smoothly and in good conversion in 24 h to less and were accomplished by a change in the color of the reaction solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Konno
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
| | - Haruto Yasumiishi
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
| | - Reika Aoki
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
| | - Ikumi Nitanai
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
| | - Shigekazu Yano
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
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Kennedy AC, Belgi A, Husselbee BW, Spanswick D, Norton RS, Robinson AJ. α-Conotoxin Peptidomimetics: Probing the Minimal Binding Motif for Effective Analgesia. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E505. [PMID: 32781580 PMCID: PMC7472027 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12080505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Several analgesic α-conotoxins have been isolated from marine cone snails. Structural modification of native peptides has provided potent and selective analogues for two of its known biological targets-nicotinic acetylcholine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) G protein-coupled (GABAB) receptors. Both of these molecular targets are implicated in pain pathways. Despite their small size, an incomplete understanding of the structure-activity relationship of α-conotoxins at each of these targets has hampered the development of therapeutic leads. This review scrutinises the N-terminal domain of the α-conotoxin family of peptides, a region defined by an invariant disulfide bridge, a turn-inducing proline residue and multiple polar sidechain residues, and focusses on structural features that provide analgesia through inhibition of high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels. Elucidating the bioactive conformation of this region of these peptides may hold the key to discovering potent drugs for the unmet management of debilitating chronic pain associated with a wide range of medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C. Kennedy
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; (A.C.K.); (A.B.); (B.W.H.)
| | - Alessia Belgi
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; (A.C.K.); (A.B.); (B.W.H.)
| | - Benjamin W. Husselbee
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; (A.C.K.); (A.B.); (B.W.H.)
| | - David Spanswick
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Department of Physiology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia;
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- NeuroSolutions Ltd., Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Raymond S. Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia;
- ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Andrea J. Robinson
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; (A.C.K.); (A.B.); (B.W.H.)
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Ning J, Li R, Ren J, Zhangsun D, Zhu X, Wu Y, Luo S. Alanine-Scanning Mutagenesis of α-Conotoxin GI Reveals the Residues Crucial for Activity at the Muscle Acetylcholine Receptor. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16120507. [PMID: 30551685 PMCID: PMC6315591 DOI: 10.3390/md16120507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been pursued as a potential target of several diseases, including myogenic disorders, muscle dystrophies and myasthenia gravis, etc. α-conotoxin GI isolated from Conus geographus selectively and potently inhibited the muscle-type nAChRs which can be developed as a tool to study them. Herein, alanine scanning mutagenesis was used to reveal the structure–activity relationship (SAR) between GI and mouse α1β1δε nAChRs. The Pro5, Gly8, Arg9, and Tyr11 were proved to be the critical residues for receptor inhibiting as the alanine (Ala) replacement led to a significant potency loss on mouse α1β1δε nAChR. On the contrary, substituting Asn4, His10 and Ser12 with Ala respectively did not affect its activity. Interestingly, the [E1A] GI analogue exhibited a three-fold potency for mouse α1β1δε nAChR, whereas it obviously decreased potency at rat α9α10 nAChR compared to wildtype GI. Molecular dynamic simulations also suggest that loop2 of GI significantly affects the interaction with α1β1δε nAChR, and Tyr11 of GI is a critical residue binding with three hydrophobic amino acids of the δ subunit, including Leu93, Tyr95 and Leu103. Our research elucidates the interaction of GI and mouse α1β1δε nAChR in detail that will help to develop the novel analogues of GI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong Ning
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Lab for Marine Drugs of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
| | - Rui Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Lab for Marine Drugs of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
| | - Jie Ren
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Lab for Marine Drugs of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
| | - Dongting Zhangsun
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Lab for Marine Drugs of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
| | - Xiaopeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Lab for Marine Drugs of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
| | - Yong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Lab for Marine Drugs of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
| | - Sulan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Lab for Marine Drugs of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
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11
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Camilloni C, Cavalli A, Vendruscolo M. Replica-Averaged Metadynamics. J Chem Theory Comput 2013; 9:5610-7. [DOI: 10.1021/ct4006272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Camilloni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW United Kingdom
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW United Kingdom
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Postma TM, Albericio F. N-chlorosuccinimide, an efficient peptide disulfide bond-forming reagent in aqueous solution. RSC Adv 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c3ra43149e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Gupta K, Kumar M, Balaram P. Disulfide Bond Assignments by Mass Spectrometry of Native Natural Peptides: Cysteine Pairing in Disulfide Bonded Conotoxins. Anal Chem 2010; 82:8313-9. [DOI: 10.1021/ac101867e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kallol Gupta
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India, and National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore-560065, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India, and National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore-560065, India
| | - Padmanabhan Balaram
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India, and National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore-560065, India
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14
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Alpha-conotoxins as pharmacological probes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2009; 30:771-83. [PMID: 19448650 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2009.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cysteine-rich peptides from the venom of cone snails (Conus) target a wide variety of different ion channels. One family of conopeptides, the alpha-conotoxins, specifically target different isoforms of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) found both in the neuromuscular junction and central nervous system. This family is further divided into subfamilies based on the number of amino acids between cysteine residues. The exquisite subtype selectivity of certain alpha-conotoxins has been key to the characterization of native nAChR isoforms involved in modulation of neurotransmitter release, the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and nociception. Structure/function characterization of alpha-conotoxins has led to the development of analogs with improved potency and/or subtype selectivity. Cyclization of the backbone structure and addition of lipophilic moieties has led to improved stability and bioavailability of alpha-conotoxins, thus paving the way for orally available therapeutics. The recent advances in phylogeny, exogenomics and molecular modeling promises the discovery of an even greater number of alpha-conotoxins and analogs with improved selectivity for specific subtypes of nAChRs.
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Kasheverov IE, Zhmak MN, Vulfius CA, Gorbacheva EV, Mordvintsev DY, Utkin YN, van Elk R, Smit AB, Tsetlin VI. ?-Conotoxin analogs with additional positive charge show increased selectivity towards Torpedo�californica and some neuronal subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. FEBS J 2006; 273:4470-81. [PMID: 16956365 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2006.05453.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-conotoxins from Conus snails are indispensable tools for distinguishing various subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), and synthesis of alpha-conotoxin analogs may yield novel antagonists of higher potency and selectivity. We incorporated additional positive charges into alpha-conotoxins and analyzed their binding to nAChRs. Introduction of Arg or Lys residues instead of Ser12 in alpha-conotoxins GI and SI, or D12K substitution in alpha-conotoxin SIA increased the affinity for both the high- and low-affinity sites in membrane-bound Torpedo californica nAChR. The effect was most pronounced for [D12K]SIA with 30- and 200-fold enhancement for the respective sites, resulting in the most potent alpha-conotoxin blocker of the Torpedo nAChR among those tested. Similarly, D14K substitution in alpha-conotoxin [A10L]PnIA, a blocker of neuronal alpha7 nAChR, was previously shown to increase the affinity for this receptor and endowed [A10L,D14K]PnIA with the capacity to distinguish between acetylcholine-binding proteins from the mollusks Lymnaea stagnalis and Aplysia californica. We found that [A10L,D14K]PnIA also distinguishes two alpha7-like anion-selective nAChR subtypes present on identified neurons of L. stagnalis: [D14K] mutation affected only slightly the potency of [A10L]PnIA to block nAChRs on neurons with low sensitivity to alpha-conotoxin ImI, but gave a 50-fold enhancement of blocking activity in cells with high sensitivity to ImI. Therefore, the introduction of an additional positive charge in the C-terminus of alpha-conotoxins targeting some muscle or neuronal nAChRs made them more discriminative towards the respective nAChR subtypes. In the case of muscle-type alpha-conotoxin [D12K]SIA, the contribution of the Lys12 positive charge to enhanced affinity towards Torpedo nAChR was rationalized with the aid of computer modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor E Kasheverov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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16
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Chi SW, Kim DH, Olivera BM, McIntosh JM, Han KH. NMR structure determination of alpha-conotoxin BuIA, a novel neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist with an unusual 4/4 disulfide scaffold. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 349:1228-34. [PMID: 16979596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.08.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2006] [Accepted: 08/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We have determined a high-resolution three-dimensional structure of alpha-conotoxin BuIA, a 13-residue peptide toxin isolated from Conus bullatus. Despite its unusual 4/4 disulfide bond layout alpha-conotoxin BuIA exhibits strong antagonistic activity at alpha6/alpha3beta2beta3, alpha3beta2, and alpha3beta4 nAChR subtypes like some alpha4/7 conotoxins. alpha-Conotoxin BuIA lacks the C-terminal beta-turn present within the second disulfide loop of alpha4/7 conotoxins, having only a "pseudo omega-shaped" molecular topology. Nevertheless, it contains a functionally critical two-turn helix motif, a feature ubiquitously found in alpha4/7 conotoxins. Such an aspect seems mainly responsible for similarities in the receptor recognition profile of alpha-conotoxin BuIA to alpha4/7 conotoxins. Structural comparison of alpha-conotoxin BuIA with alpha4/7 conotoxins and alpha4/3 conotoxin ImI suggests that presence of the second helical turn portion of the two-turn helix motif in alpha4/7 and alpha4/4 conotoxins may be important for binding to the alpha3 and/or alpha6 subunit of nAChR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Wook Chi
- Molecular Cancer Research Center, Division of Molecular Therapeutics, KRIBB, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea
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17
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Kasheverov IE, Utkin IN, Tsetlin VI. [Natural alpha-conotoxins and their synthetic analogues in studies of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors]. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2006; 32:115-29. [PMID: 16637282 DOI: 10.1134/s1068162006020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
alpha-Conotoxins, peptide neurotoxins from poisonous marine snails of the genus Conus that highly specifically block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) of various types, are reviewed. Preliminarily, the structural organization of AChRs of the muscular and neuronal types, their involvement in physiological processes, and their role in various diseases are briefly discussed. In this connection, the necessity of quantitative determination of AChR subtypes using neurotoxins and other approaches is substantiated. The chemical structure, spatial organization, and specificity of alpha-conotoxins are mainly discussed, taking into consideration the recent results on the ability of alpha-conotoxins to interact with muscular or neuronal hetero- and homooligomeric AChRs exhibiting a high species specificity. Particular emphasis is placed upon a thorough characterization of the surfaces of interaction of alpha-conotoxins with AChRs using synthetic analogues of alpha-conotoxins, mutations in AChRs, and pairwise mutations in both alpha-conotoxins and AChRs. The discovery in 2001 of the acetylcholine-binding protein from the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis and the determination of its crystalline structure led to rapid progress in understanding the structural organization of ligand-binding domains of AChRs with which alpha-conotoxins also interact. We discuss the interaction of various alpha-conotoxins with acetylcholine-binding proteins, the recently reported X-ray structure of the complex of the acetylcholine-binding protein from Aplysia californica with the alpha-conotoxin analogue PnIA, and the application of this structure to the modeling of complexes of alpha-conotoxins with various AChRs.
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Bingham JP, Broxton NM, Livett BG, Down JG, Jones A, Moczydlowski EG. Optimizing the connectivity in disulfide-rich peptides: α-conotoxin SII as a case study. Anal Biochem 2005; 338:48-61. [PMID: 15707935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2004.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We describe a strategy for the efficient, unambiguous assignment of disulfide connectivities in alpha-conotoxin SII, of which approximately 30% of its mass is cysteine, as an example of a generalizable technique for investigation of cysteine-rich peptides. alpha-Conotoxin SII was shown to possess 3-8, 2-18, and 4-14 disulfide bond connectivity. Sequential disulfide bond connectivity analysis was performed by partial reduction with Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine and real-time mass monitoring by direct-infusion electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS). This method achieved high yields of the differentially reduced disulfide bonded intermediates and economic use of reduced peptide. Intermediates were alkylated with either N-phenylmaleimide or 4-vinylpyridine. The resulting alkyl products were assigned by ESMS and their alkyl positions sequentially identified via conventional Edman degradation. The methodology described allows a more efficient, rapid, and reliable assignment of disulfide bond connectivity in synthetic and native cysteine-rich peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon-Paul Bingham
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA.
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Vélez-Carrasco W, Valdés S, Agresar L, Lettich A, Guerra AY, Hann RM. Alpha-conotoxin residues that interact at close range with gamma-tyrosine-111 and mutant delta-tyrosine-113 on the Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Biochemistry 2004; 43:12700-8. [PMID: 15449960 DOI: 10.1021/bi030248b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The alpha-conotoxins MI and GI display stronger affinities for the alphagamma agonist site on the Torpedo californica electrocyte nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (ACHR) than for the alphadelta agonist site, while alpha-conotoxin SI binds with the same affinity to both sites. Prior studies reported that the arginine at position 9 on GI and the tyrosine at position 111 on the receptor gamma subunit were responsible for the stronger alphagamma affinities of GI and MI, respectively. This study was undertaken to determine if the alpha-conotoxin midchain cationic residues interact with Torpedo gammaY111. The findings show that lysine 10 on MI is responsible for the alphagamma selectivity of MI and confirm the previously reported importance of R9 on GI and on the SI analogue, SIP9R. The results also show that gammaY111 contributes substantially to the selective alphagamma high affinity of all three peptides. Double-mutant cycle analyses reveal that, in the alphagamma site, K10 on MI and R9 on SIP9R interact with the aromatic ring of gammaY111 to stabilize the high-affinity complex, while in contrast, R9 on GI does not. The substitution of Y for R at position 113 on the delta subunit converts the alphadelta site into a high-affinity site for MI, GI, and SIP9R through the interacting of deltaY113 with K10 on MI and with R9 on both GI and SIP9R. The overall data show that the residues in the two sites with which MI interacts, other than at gamma111/delta113, are either the same or similar enough to exert equivalent effects on MI, indicating that MI binds in the same orientation at the alphagamma and alphadelta sites. Similar findings show that SIP9R probably also binds in the same orientation at the wild-type alphagamma and alphadelta sites. The finding that R9 on GI interacts closely with deltaR113Y but not with gammaY111 means that GI binds in different orientations at the alphagamma and alphadelta sites. This report also discusses the molecular basis of the difference in the MI high-affinity sites on Torpedo and embryonic mouse muscle ACHRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanda Vélez-Carrasco
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico 00960
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Chi SW, Park KH, Suk JE, Olivera BM, McIntosh JM, Han KH. Solution conformation of alphaA-conotoxin EIVA, a potent neuromuscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist from Conus ermineus. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:42208-13. [PMID: 12900418 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m303342200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the solution three-dimensional structure of an alphaA-conotoxin EIVA determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics. The alphaA-conotoxin EIVA consists of 30 amino acids representing the largest peptide among the alpha/alphaA-family conotoxins discovered so far and targets the neuromuscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptor with high affinity. alphaA-Conotoxin EIVA consists of three distinct structural domains. The first domain is mainly composed of the Cys3-Cys11-disulfide loop and is structurally ill-defined with a large backbone root mean square deviation of 1.91 A. The second domain formed by residues His12-Hyp21 is extremely well defined with a backbone root mean square deviation of 0.52 A, thus forming a sturdy stem for the entire molecule. The third C-terminal domain formed by residues Hyp22-Gly29 shows an intermediate structural order having a backbone root mean square deviation of 1.04 A. A structurally ill-defined N-terminal first loop domain connected to a rigid central molecular stem seems to be the general structural feature of the alphaA-conotoxin subfamily. A detailed structural comparison between alphaA-conotoxin EIVA and alphaA-conotoxin PIVA suggests that the higher receptor affinity of alphaA-conotoxin EIVA than alphaA-conotoxin PIVA might originate from different steric disposition and charge distribution in the second loop "handle" motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Wook Chi
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
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