Neurotoxins from sea anemones as an instrument for intervention into the nervous system activity. R.S. KALINA, E.V. LEYCHENKO, M.M. MONASTYRNAYA, E.P. KOZLOVSKAYA
Keywords:
sea anemones, peptides, neurotoxins, modulators of ion channels, voltage-dependent sodium channels (NaV)Abstract
Neuro- and cardiotoxins from sea anemones, activators of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV), are the major
components of sea anemone venom and the most efficient natural toxins. They are considered as promising molecular tools for studying the mechanism of NaV channels action. These channels are target for anesthetics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and antiarrhythmic drugs. Structure and biological activity of structural type II neurotoxins from sea anemone were first described at the Laboratory of Peptide Chemistry, PIBOC FEB RAS, about 35 years ago. Currently, in relation to the great interest in regulation the activity of ion channels using natural toxin modulators, we have resumed studies of neurotoxins RpII and RTX-III interaction with mammalian and insect NaV channels.
