New conotoxins define the novel I3-superfamily

Peptides. 2009 May;30(5):861-5. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.01.012. Epub 2009 Jan 30.

Abstract

We purified two novel conotoxins, designated as ca11a and ca11b, from the venom of Conus caracteristicus. Based on the amino acid sequence of mature ca11a, we cloned its full-length cDNA. Based on the signal peptide of ca11a, several ca11a-like conotoxins were cloned from C. caracteristicus and C. pulicarius. These novel conotoxins have an I-superfamily cysteine pattern but with a novel signal peptide sequence, suggesting they belong to a new branch of I-superfamily, designated as I(3)-superfamily. Additionally, two O-superfamily conotoxins were also cloned based on the signal peptide of ca11a, suggesting a possible evolutionary relationship between O- and I-superfamilies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Conotoxins / chemistry
  • Conotoxins / genetics
  • Conotoxins / isolation & purification*
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mollusk Venoms / chemistry*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Conotoxins
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Mollusk Venoms