153. Biochemical and Pharmacological Characterization of Three-Finger Neurotoxins from the Venom of Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius fulvius)

Foo, Chun Shin; Nirthanan, Selvanayagam; Kini, R. Manjunatha; Wong, Peter T.-H.

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.04.154

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“…Recently, we detailed the pharmacological and structural characterization fulditoxin, from American coral snake (Micrurus fulvius fulvius) venom 66 . Fulditoxin's crystal structure revealed a non-covalent homodimer of two short-chain α-3FNTxs, which, interestingly, produced potent neuromuscular blockade in avian skeletal muscle (IC 50 = 20 nM), which was completely reversible, unlike that produced by typical snake α-3FNTxs.…”

Section: Dimerization Of Snake Neurotoxins As a Strategy To Broaden The Scope Of Selectivity For Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Targetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Back to basics with receptors and ligands – molecules, mechanisms and medicine

Nirthanan

2019

J of Cey Coll of Phy

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Drug discovery is a complex, substantially long, technology-driven, labour-intensive and inordinately expensive process involving target discovery and validation, lead identification by high-throughput screening, and lead optimization by medicinal chemistry, preclinical evaluation in animal models, pharmacological screening (ADME screen: administration, distribution, metabolism, elimination) and studies of toxicology, specificity, and drug interactions 1,2 . While comprehensive drug discovery workflows are predominantly undertaken in the big pharma domain, drug discovery in academia must not be discounted. Research relevant to drug discovery in academia is generally at the fundamental level, with a focus on drug mechanisms and the identification and validation of potential therapeutic targets, often in commercially unattractive, but relevant therapeutic areas particularly for the developing world, including rare disorders, parasitic diseases, and in research into natural products 3,4 . Investigating natural sources for drug leads include compounds from venomous animals; with illustrious examples of success such as captopril (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor for the treatment of hypertension), exenatide (a glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes) and ziconotide (an N-type calcium channel blocker for intractable pain) 5,6 . Drug discovery in academia is usually associated with identification of drug targets and mechanisms, often with the overarching goal of progressing to proof-of-concept studies and translational research with commercial viability -the so-called 'bench to bedside' vision. Nevertheless, outcomes such as development of probe molecules that can serve as research or diagnostics tools to dissect molecular mechanisms or pathophysiological pathways, or contribution to the structural and functional characterization of receptors, ion channels, enzymes and other molecular targets are also critical for drug discovery 2,7 . This oration paper outlines an overview of two decades of research in the academia, focusing on the neurotransmitter-gated family of ion channel receptors, specifically the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR); investigating both, novel ligands and drugs for the receptor, as well as characterizing their binding sites within the receptor. Collectively, these studies have made substantial contributions of clinical, pharmacological and neurobiological significance. Methods Experimental procedures for identification of drug binding sites within nicotinic acetylcholine receptorsMembranes rich in nAChRs were isolated from Torpedo californica (Pacific electric ray) electric organs as described previously 8 . Photo-reactive derivatives of the general anaesthetic drug etomidate were chemically synthesized [9][10][11] and their effects on the equilibrium binding of tritium ([ 3 H])labelled acetylcholine or non-competitive nAChR antagonists, [ 3 H]tetracaine, or [ 3 H]phencyclidine, to nAChR-rich membranes were studied using radioligand binding assays [...

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Section: Dimerization Of Snake Neurotoxins As a Strategy To Broaden The Scope Of Selectivity For Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Targetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Back to basics with receptors and ligands – molecules, mechanisms and medicine

Nirthanan

2019

J of Cey Coll of Phy

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

153. Biochemical and Pharmacological Characterization of Three-Finger Neurotoxins from the Venom of Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius fulvius)

Cited by 1 publication

References 0 publications

Back to basics with receptors and ligands – molecules, mechanisms and medicine

Back to basics with receptors and ligands – molecules, mechanisms and medicine

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