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Two new classes of conopeptides inhibit the α1-adrenoceptor and noradrenaline transporter

Nature Neuroscience volume 4, pages 902–907 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Cone snails use venom containing a cocktail of peptides ('conopeptides') to capture their prey. Many of these peptides also target mammalian receptors, often with exquisite selectivity. Here we report the discovery of two new classes of conopeptides. One class targets α1-adrenoceptors (ρ-TIA from the fish-hunting Conus tulipa), and the second class targets the neuronal noradrenaline transporter (χ-MrIA and χ-MrIB from the mollusk-hunting C. marmoreus). ρ-TIA and χ-MrIA selectively modulate these important membrane-bound proteins. Both peptides act as reversible non-competitive inhibitors and provide alternative avenues for the identification of inhibitor drugs.

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Figure 1: Liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) analysis of crude venom from C. tulipa and C. marmoreus.
Figure 2: Mode of action of ρ-TIA.
Figure 3: Mode of action of χ-MrIA-nh2.
Figure 4: NMR-derived structures of ρ-TIA and χ-MrIB-nh2.

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Acknowledgements

We thank R. Graham (Sydney) and D. Kaye (Melbourne) for assistance and advice and for providing the α1B-adrenoceptor (R.G.) and human NET (D.K.) clones. L. Bryan-Lluka (Brisbane) provided the rat NET clone. A. Jones, N. Daly, K. Nielsen and T. Bond (I.M.B.) provided assistance. This work was supported by grants from AusIndustry and the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, Australia

    Iain A. Sharpe, John Gehrmann, Marion L. Loughnan, Linda Thomas, Denise A. Adams, Ann Atkins, David J. Craik, Paul F. Alewood & Richard J. Lewis

  2. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, Australia

    Iain A. Sharpe & David J. Adams

  3. Xenome Ltd., 50 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, 4068, Brisbane, Australia

    Elka Palant & Richard J. Lewis

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Sharpe, I., Gehrmann, J., Loughnan, M. et al. Two new classes of conopeptides inhibit the α1-adrenoceptor and noradrenaline transporter. Nat Neurosci 4, 902–907 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn0901-902

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