BACKGROUND: alpha-Conotoxins are peptide toxins, isolated from Conus snails, that block the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). The 16-residue peptides PnIA and PnIB from Conus pennaceus incorporate the same disulfide framework as other alpha-conotoxins but differ in function from most alpha-conotoxins by blocking the neuronal nAChR, rather than the skeletal muscle subtype. The crystal structure determination of PnIA was undertaken to identify structural and surface features that might be important for biological activity. RESULTS: The 1.1 A crystal structure of synthetic PnIA was determined by direct methods using the Shake-and-Bake program. The three-dimensional structure incorporates a beta turn followed by two alpha-helical turns. The conformation is stabilised by two disulfide bridges that form the interior of the molecule, with all other side chains oriented outwards. CONCLUSIONS: The compact architecture of the PnIA toxin provides a rigid framework for presentation of chemical groups that are required for activity. The structure is characterized by distinct hydrophobic and polar surfaces; a 16 A separation of the sole positive and negative charges (these two charged residues being located at opposite ends of the molecule); a hydrophobic region and a protruding tyrosine side chain. These features may be important for the specific interaction of PnIA with neuronal nAChR.
BACKGROUND: alpha-Conotoxins are peptide toxins, isolated from Conus snails, that block the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). The 16-residue peptides PnIA and PnIB from Conus pennaceus incorporate the same disulfide framework as other alpha-conotoxins but differ in function from most alpha-conotoxins by blocking the neuronal nAChR, rather than the skeletal muscle subtype. The crystal structure determination of PnIA was undertaken to identify structural and surface features that might be important for biological activity. RESULTS: The 1.1 A crystal structure of synthetic PnIA was determined by direct methods using the Shake-and-Bake program. The three-dimensional structure incorporates a beta turn followed by two alpha-helical turns. The conformation is stabilised by two disulfide bridges that form the interior of the molecule, with all other side chains oriented outwards. CONCLUSIONS: The compact architecture of the PnIA toxin provides a rigid framework for presentation of chemical groups that are required for activity. The structure is characterized by distinct hydrophobic and polar surfaces; a 16 A separation of the sole positive and negative charges (these two charged residues being located at opposite ends of the molecule); a hydrophobic region and a protruding tyrosine side chain. These features may be important for the specific interaction of PnIA with neuronal nAChR.
Authors: Christopher Armishaw; Anders A Jensen; Thomas Balle; Richard J Clark; Kasper Harpsøe; Christian Skonberg; Tommy Liljefors; Kristian Strømgaard Journal: J Biol Chem Date: 2009-01-08 Impact factor: 5.157
Authors: Helena Safavi-Hemami; William A Siero; Zhihe Kuang; Nicholas A Williamson; John A Karas; Louise R Page; David MacMillan; Brid Callaghan; Shiva Nag Kompella; David J Adams; Raymond S Norton; Anthony W Purcell Journal: J Biol Chem Date: 2011-04-19 Impact factor: 5.157
Authors: Somisetti V Sambasivarao; Jessica Roberts; Vivek S Bharadwaj; Jason G Slingsby; Conrad Rohleder; Chris Mallory; James R Groome; Owen M McDougal; C Mark Maupin Journal: Chembiochem Date: 2014-01-13 Impact factor: 3.164