Cone snails are venomous marine predators that release special peptides which allow them to paralyze their prey. These special peptides are known as Alpha conotoxins. These small peptides specifically target and block certain subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the nervous system of their prey. These toxins disrupt the transmission of nerve signals between neuromuscular junctions in their prey, ultimately leading to their paralysis. Scientists have also shown a lot of interest in these specific Conotoxins due to their potential pharmacological applications. Some alpha conotoxins show promise as therapeutic agents for conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases by selectively targeting specific receptors in the nervous system.
Ulens et al. (2006). Structural determinants of selective a-conotoxin binding to a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor homolog AChBP. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 103, 3615-3620
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