RESUMO

We isolated a new dimeric conotoxin with inhibitory activity against neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Edman degradation and transcriptomic studies indicate a homodimeric conotoxin composed by two chains of 47 amino acid in length. It has the cysteine framework XX and 10 disulfide bonds. According to conotoxin nomenclature, it has been named as αD-FrXXA. The αD-FrXXA conotoxin inhibited the ACh-induced response on nAChR with a IC50 of 125 nM on hα7, 282 nM on hα3ß2, 607 nM on α4ß2, 351 nM on mouse adult muscle, and 447 nM on mouse fetal muscle. This is first toxin characterized from C. fergusoni and, at the same time, the second αD-conotoxin characterized from a species of the Eastern Pacific.

Assuntos

Conotoxinas , Caramujo Conus , Receptores Nicotínicos , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Conotoxinas/química , Caramujo Conus/química , Camundongos , Antagonistas Nicotínicos/metabolismo , Antagonistas Nicotínicos/farmacologia , Receptores Nicotínicos/metabolismo , Caramujos/metabolismo