Strategies for the development of conotoxins as new therapeutic leads.

摘要: Peptide toxins typically bind to their target ion channels or receptors with high potency and selectivity, making them attractive leads for therapeutic development. In some cases the native peptide as it is found in venom from which originates can be used directly, but many instances desirable truncate and/or stabilize improve its properties. A complementary strategy display key residues that make up pharmacophore of toxin on a non-peptidic scaffold, thereby creating peptidomimetic. This review exemplifies these approaches marine organisms, particular focus conotoxins.