The contryphans, a D-tryptophan-containing family of Conus peptides: interconversion between conformers

J Pept Res. 1998 Mar;51(3):173-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3011.1998.tb01213.x.

Abstract

We previously characterized contryphan-R, a D-tryptophan-containing octapeptide from the venom of Conus radiatus. In this study, we present evidence that the contryphan family of peptides is widely distributed in venoms of the fish-hunting cone snails. We purified, synthesized and characterized contryphan-Sm from Conus stercusmuscarum venom, and obtained molecular evidence for the existence of a third peptide, contryphan-P from Conus purpurascens venom ducts. The sequences of these three contryphans showed identity in seven of eight amino acids and a conserved pattern of post-translational modification. We also demonstrate that contryphan-Sm equilibrates between two distinct conformational states.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mollusca
  • Mollusk Venoms / chemistry*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / genetics
  • Peptides, Cyclic / isolation & purification
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protein Conformation
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Mollusk Venoms
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • contryphan