Abstract
There are numerous evidences about the effects of crude snake venoms or isolated toxins on the peripheral nervous system. However, the data on their interactions with the central nervous system (CNS) are not so abundant, since the blood-brain barrier (BBB) impedes penetration of these compounds into the brain. There are several reviews describing the interactions of particular classes of snake venom polypeptides with components of the CNS; however, no general systematics of such interactions was done. This review is the first attempt to consolidate the data about the interaction of snake venom polypeptides with the CNS. Such data will be described according to three main modes of interactions: - Direct in vivo interaction of the CNS with venom polypeptides capable to penetrate BBB. - In vitro interactions of isolated components of the CNS with crude venoms or purified toxins. - Indirect effects of snake venoms or their components on functioning of the CNS under normal or pathological conditions. Although the venom components penetrating BBB are not numerous, they seem to be the most suitable candidates for the leads in drug design. The compounds from two other groups are more abundant and better studied, but the fact that the data about their ability to penetrate BBB are still absent may substantially aggravate the potentials for their medical perspectives. Nevertheless, many of these compounds are used as biochemical tools for research of the CNS in vitro. These investigations may give invaluable information for understanding the molecular basis of CNS diseases and thus lay the basis for targeted drug design. This aspect also will be outlined in the review.
Keywords: Snake venom, polypeptides, neurotoxins, central nervous system, brain
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Snake Venom Polypeptides Affecting the Central Nervous System
Volume: 7 Issue: 2
Author(s): Yu N. Utkin and Alexey V. Osipov
Affiliation:
Keywords: Snake venom, polypeptides, neurotoxins, central nervous system, brain
Abstract: There are numerous evidences about the effects of crude snake venoms or isolated toxins on the peripheral nervous system. However, the data on their interactions with the central nervous system (CNS) are not so abundant, since the blood-brain barrier (BBB) impedes penetration of these compounds into the brain. There are several reviews describing the interactions of particular classes of snake venom polypeptides with components of the CNS; however, no general systematics of such interactions was done. This review is the first attempt to consolidate the data about the interaction of snake venom polypeptides with the CNS. Such data will be described according to three main modes of interactions: - Direct in vivo interaction of the CNS with venom polypeptides capable to penetrate BBB. - In vitro interactions of isolated components of the CNS with crude venoms or purified toxins. - Indirect effects of snake venoms or their components on functioning of the CNS under normal or pathological conditions. Although the venom components penetrating BBB are not numerous, they seem to be the most suitable candidates for the leads in drug design. The compounds from two other groups are more abundant and better studied, but the fact that the data about their ability to penetrate BBB are still absent may substantially aggravate the potentials for their medical perspectives. Nevertheless, many of these compounds are used as biochemical tools for research of the CNS in vitro. These investigations may give invaluable information for understanding the molecular basis of CNS diseases and thus lay the basis for targeted drug design. This aspect also will be outlined in the review.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Utkin N. Yu and Osipov V. Alexey, Snake Venom Polypeptides Affecting the Central Nervous System, Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2007; 7 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152407780831657
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152407780831657 |
Print ISSN 1871-5249 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6166 |

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Detecting Sudden Gains during Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Cautions from a Monte Carlo Analysis
Current Psychiatry Reviews Prion Proteins Leading to Neurodegeneration
Current Alzheimer Research Newborn Screening through TREC, TREC/KREC System for Primary Immunodeficiency with limitation of TREC/KREC. Comprehensive Review
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Evidence for the Role of Luteinizing Hormone in Alzheimer Disease
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Dysregulated Pathway Identification of Alzheimer's Disease Based on Internal Correlation Analysis of Genes and Pathways
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Substrates, Inhibitors and Activators of P-glycoprotein: Candidates for Radiolabeling and Imaging Perspectives
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Alzheimer Research Significance and Mechanisms of P-glycoprotein in Central Nervous System Diseases
Current Drug Targets Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Alzheimer Research Chemical Properties and Mechanisms Determining the Anti-Cancer Action of Garlic-Derived Organic Sulfur Compounds
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Stress, Aging and Reliability of Antioxidant Enzyme Defense
Current Aging Science Medicinal Plants from Peru: A Review of Plants as Potential Agents Against Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Anti-Seizure Medications and Estradiol for Neuroprotection in Epilepsy: The 2013 Update
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Clinically Relevant Drug Interactions with Anti-Alzheimer's Drugs
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Ischemic Tolerance Induced by Normobaric Hyperoxia and Evaluation of Group I and II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors
Current Neurovascular Research Comprehensive Evaluation and Clinical Application of Combined Redox Assay Methods to Determine Total Antioxidant Capacity
Current Analytical Chemistry Therapy of No-Type I Bipolar Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review
Current Psychiatry Reviews Pharmacological Treatments for Hypochondriasis: A Review
Current Psychiatry Reviews Editorial (Thematic Issue: Differences in Psychopathology Across Ethnicity and Culture)
Current Psychiatry Reviews Screening Haemostasis – Looking for Global Assays: The Overall Haemostasis Potential (OHP) Method – A Possible Tool for Laboratory Investigation of Global Haemostasis in Both Hypo- and Hypercoagulable Conditions
Current Vascular Pharmacology