This biomolecular interaction is between the cyclic peptide α-conotoxin Iml and Ac-AChBP, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. α-conotoxin Iml is from the potent venom of a cone snail (Conus imperialis), which when it binds to nAChRs of its target prey of polychaete worms and molluscs, it inhibits the active site and causes effects such as paralysis and death. This inhibition occurs at neuromuscular junctions which means that when it binds to the receptor, the conotoxin blocks transmission signals from nerves to muscles. This interaction is interesting because of the α-conotoxins unique specificity for binding to this individual nAChR. This knowledge may be useful in treating neuron disorders and pain stimuli in humans as they have transmission of signals involving nAChRs. Due to the potency and specificity of α-conotoxins to interact with nAChRs, it has led to the idea and trial of α-conotoxins as drug leads. The specificity of conotoxins can also be used to further investigate nAChRs role in the human body.
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