Using the deadly mu-conotoxins as probes of voltage-gated sodium channels

Toxicon. 2004 Aug;44(2):117-22. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2004.03.028.

Abstract

Mu-Conotoxins (mu-CTX) are potent Na channel inhibitory peptides isolated from the venom of the predatory marine snail Conus geographus. Mu-CTXs exert their biological action by physically occluding the ion-conducting pore of voltage-gated Na (Na(v)) channels with a 1:1 stoichiometry in an all-or-none fashion. This article reviews our current knowledge of the mechanism of mu-CTX and the associated structural and functional insights into its molecular target--Na(v) channels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conotoxins / pharmacology*
  • Ion Channel Gating / drug effects*
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Neurotoxins / pharmacology
  • Protein Conformation
  • Snails
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Sodium Channels / drug effects*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Conotoxins
  • Neurotoxins
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Sodium Channels