Functional Characterization of the Nemertide α Family of Peptide Toxins.

ABSTRACT: Peptide toxins find use in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture. They are exploited as pharmaceutical tools, particularly for the investigation of ion channels. Here, we report the synthesis and activity of a novel family of peptide toxins: the cystine-knotted α nemertides. Following the prototypic α-1 and -2 (1 and 2), six more nemertides were discovered by mining of available nemertean transcriptomes. Here, we describe their synthesis using solid phase peptide chemistry and their oxidative folding by using an improved protocol. Nemertides α-2 to α-7 (2-7) were produced to characterize their effect on voltage-gated sodium channels (Blatella germanica BgNa_V1 and mammalian Na_Vs1.1-1.8). In addition, ion channel activities were mat

SUBMITTER: Jacobsson E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8406415 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature