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Title: Solution structure of {alpha}-conotoxin PIA, a novel antagonist of {alpha}6 subunit containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Journal Article · · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BBRC.2005.1· OSTI ID:20793250
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [1]
  1. Protein Analysis and Design Laboratory, Division of Drug Discovery, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yusong P. O. Box 115, Daejon (Korea, Republic of)
  2. Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (United States)

{alpha}-Conotoxin PIA is a novel nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist isolated from Conus purpurascens that targets nAChR subtypes containing {alpha}6 and {alpha}3 subunits. {alpha}-conotoxin PIA displays 75-fold higher affinity for rat {alpha}6/{alpha}3{beta}2{beta}3 nAChRs than for rat {alpha}3{beta}2 nAChRs. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of {alpha}-conotoxin PIA by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The {alpha}-conotoxin PIA has an '{omega}-shaped' overall topology as other {alpha}4/7 subfamily conotoxins. Yet, unlike other neuronally targeted {alpha}4/7-conotoxins, its N-terminal tail Arg{sup 1}-Asp{sup 2}-Pro{sup 3} protrudes out of its main molecular body because Asp{sup 2}-Pro{sup 3}-Cys{sup 4}-Cys{sup 5} forms a stable type I {beta}-turn. In addition, a kink introduced by Pro{sup 15} in the second loop of this toxin provides a distinct steric and electrostatic environment from those in {alpha}-conotoxins MII and GIC. By comparing the structure of {alpha}-conotoxin PIA with other functionally related {alpha}-conotoxins we suggest structural features in {alpha}-conotoxin PIA that may be associated with its unique receptor recognition profile.

OSTI ID:
20793250
Journal Information:
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 338, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.10.176; PII: S0006-291X(05)02460-5; Copyright (c) 2005 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English