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Hyperhydroxylation: A New Strategy for Neuronal Targeting by Venomous Marine Molluscs

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Book cover Molluscs

Part of the book series: Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology ((MMB,volume 43))

Abstract

Venomous marine molluscs belonging to the genus Conus (cone snails) utilize a unique neurochemical strategy to capture their prey. Their venom is composed of a complex mixture of highly modified peptides (conopeptides) that interact with a wide range of neuronal targets. In this chapter, we describe a set of modifications based upon the hydroxylation of polypeptidic chains that are defining within the neurochemical strategy used by cone snails to capture their prey. In particular, we present a differential hydroxylation strategy that affects the neuronal targeting of a new set of α-conotoxins, mini-M conotoxins, conophans, and γ-hydroxyconophans. Differential hydroxylation, preferential hydroxylation and hyperhydroxylation have been observed in these conopeptide families as a means of augmenting the venom arsenal used by cone snails for neuronal targeting and prey capture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Centre of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, 33431, Florida, USA

    Frank Marí

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  1. A. Franco
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  2. K. Pisarewicz
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  3. C. Moller
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  4. D. Mora
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  5. G. B. Fields
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  6. Frank Marí
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  1. Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy

    Guido Cimino  & Margherita Gavagnin  & 

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Franco, A., Pisarewicz, K., Moller, C., Mora, D., Fields, G.B., Marí, F. (2006). Hyperhydroxylation: A New Strategy for Neuronal Targeting by Venomous Marine Molluscs. In: Cimino, G., Gavagnin, M. (eds) Molluscs. Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology, vol 43. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-30880-5_4

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