A biologically active hydrophobic T-1-conotoxin from the venom of Conus spurius

Peptides. 2006 Mar;27(3):500-5. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2005.07.020. Epub 2005 Nov 16.

Abstract

A major, very hydrophobic peptide, sr5a, was purified from the venom duct of Conus spurius specimens collected in the Yucatan Channel, Mexico. Its amino acid sequence (IINWCCLIFYQCC; calculated monoisotopic mass assuming two disulfide bridges 1616.68 Da) was determined by automatic Edman degradation after reduction and alkylation, and confirmed by mass spectrometry (ESI monoisotopic mass, 1616.60; MALDI monoisotopic mass 1616.42 Da). The primary structure of sr5a showed the pattern that characterizes the family of the T-1-conotoxins, which belong to the T-superfamily of conotoxins. The disulfide bonds were determined by partial reduction and alkylation with N-ethylmaleimide, followed by total reduction and alkylation with 4-vinylpyridine, and automatic Edman sequencing. The connectivity of the Cys residues (I-III, II-IV) is the same as that found in the T-1-conotoxin family. When injected intracranially (2.0 nmol) into mice, peptide sr5a caused depressed behavioral activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Conotoxins / isolation & purification*
  • Conotoxins / pharmacology
  • Conus Snail / chemistry
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Mice
  • Molecular Weight
  • Mollusk Venoms / chemistry
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Peptides, Cyclic / isolation & purification*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology

Substances

  • Conotoxins
  • Mollusk Venoms
  • Peptides, Cyclic