Cnidarian Neurotoxic Peptides Affecting Central Nervous System Targets

Title:Cnidarian Neurotoxic Peptides Affecting Central Nervous System Targets

Volume: 16 Issue: 3

Author(s): Fernando Lazcano-Pérez, Ulises Hernández-Guzmán, Judith Sánchez-Rodríguez and Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa

Affiliation:

Keywords: Cnidaria, venom, neurotoxin, peptides, ion channels, TRPV1..

Abstract: Natural products from animal venoms have been used widely in the discovery of novel molecules with particular biological activities that enable their use as potential drug candidates. The phylum Cnidaria (jellyfish, sea anemones, corals zoanthids, hydrozoans, etc.) is the most ancient venomous phylum on earth. Its venoms are composed of a complex mixture of peptidic compounds with neurotoxic and cytolitic properties that have shown activity on mammalian systems despite the fact that they are naturally targeted against fish and invertebrate preys, mainly crustaceans. For this reason, cnidarian venoms are an interesting and vast source of molecules with a remarkable activity on central nervous system, targeting mainly voltage-gated ion channels, ASIC channels, and TRPV1 receptors. In this brief review, we list the amino acid sequences of most cnidarian neurotoxic peptides reported to date. Additionally, we propose the inclusion of a new type of voltage-gated sea anemone sodium channel toxins based on the most recent reports.

Cite this article as:

Lazcano-Pérez Fernando, Hernández-Guzmán Ulises, Sánchez-Rodríguez Judith and Arreguín-Espinosa Roberto, Cnidarian Neurotoxic Peptides Affecting Central Nervous System Targets, Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2016; 16 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871524915666150722120915