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ISSN
1672-9145
Acta Biochim Biophys Sin
2004, 36(11): 713–723
CN 31-1940/Q
Conus Peptides―A Rich Pharmaceutical
Treasure
Cheng-Zhong WANG1,2 and Cheng-Wu CHI1,3*
1Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of
Biological Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China;
2Institute of Neuroscience, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai
200031, China;
3Institute of Protein Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092,
China
Abstract Marine predatory cone snails (genus Conus) with over 500
species represent what is arguably the largest single genus of marine animals
alive today. All Conus are venomous and utilize a complex mixture of Conus
peptides to capture their preys and for other biological purposes. Each
component of Conus peptides selectively targets a specific subtype of
ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors or transporters. Owing to their
diversity, more than 50,000 distinct active peptides are theoretically
estimated in Conus venoms. These diversified toxins are generally
categorized into several superfamilies and/or families based on their characteristic arrangements of
cysteine residues and pharmacological actions. Some mechanisms underlying the
remarkable diversity of Conus peptides have been postulated: the
distinctive gene structure, gene duplication and/or allelic selection, genus
speciation, and sophisticated expression pattern and post-translational modification
of these peptides. Due to their highly pharmacological potency and target
selectivity, Conus peptides have attracted extensive attention with
their potentials to be developed as new research tools in neuroscience field
and as novel medications in clinic for pain, epilepsy and other neuropathic
disorders. Several instructive lessons for our drug development could be also
learnt from these neuropharmacological ”expertises”. Conus peptides
comprise a rich resource for neuropharmacologists, and most of them await to be
explored.
Key words Conus peptide;
conotoxin; neuropathic disorder; pharmaceutical potency
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Received: August 6, 2004
Accepted: October 18, 2004
*Corresponding
author: Tel, 86-21-54921165; Fax, 86-21-54921011; E-mail, [email protected]