Glycosylation of Conotoxins |
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| Authors: | Gerrit J. Gerwig Henry G. Hocking Reto St?cklin Johannis P. Kamerling Rolf Boelens |
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| Affiliation: | 1.NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands; E-Mails: (G.J.G.); (H.G.H.); (J.P.K.);2.Atheris Laboratories, Case postale 314, CH-1233 Bernex-Geneva, Switzerland; E-Mail: |
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| Abstract: | Conotoxins are small peptides present in the venom of cone snails. The snail uses this venom to paralyze and capture prey. The constituent conopeptides display a high level of chemical diversity and are of particular interest for scientists as tools employed in neurological studies and for drug development, because they target with exquisite specificity membrane receptors, transporters, and various ion channels in the nervous system. However, these peptides are known to contain a high frequency and variability of post-translational modifications—including sometimes O-glycosylation—which are of importance for biological activity. The potential application of specific conotoxins as neuropharmalogical agents and chemical probes requires a full characterization of the relevant peptides, including the structure of the carbohydrate part. In this review, the currently existing knowledge of O-glycosylation of conotoxins is described. |
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| Keywords: | cone snails glycopeptide glycosylation L-galactose neuropeptide O-glycan post-translational modification venom |
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