Abstract
Cytotoxins (or cardiotoxins; CTs) are toxins from cobra venom characterized by the three-finger (TF) fold. CTs are on average 60-residue-long peptides, possessing as many as 4 disulfide bonds. The elements of antiparallel β-structure take origin from the hydrophobic core formed by the disulfides. The β-strands adopt the shape of the three loops, giving the name of the fold. While neurotoxins (NTs) - also TF proteins from snake venom - exert their effect through specific interactions with protein receptors, no specific protein target has been found for CTs. Unlike NTs, CTs are amphiphilic and cytotoxic against a variety of cells, including cancer ones. Thus, the hypothesis that the activity of CTs is caused by their interactions with lipid membranes is currently central. To understand molecular basis behind variations in toxicities of CTs highly homologous in their sequences, detailed knowledge of their structure and dynamics is required. The present review summarizes experimental and computational data on the spatial organization of CTs and their dynamics in various environments (aqueous solution, membranous milieus).
Keywords: Cardiotoxin, disulfide-rich protein, three-finger toxin, membrane-mimetic environment, molecular modeling, spatial structure and dynamics, normal mode analysis, spatial structure and dynamics, Elapidae snake, Pharmacological characteristics, Naja pallida
Current Protein & Peptide Science
Title:Structure and Dynamics of Cardiotoxins
Volume: 13 Issue: 6
Author(s): Anastasia G. Konshina, Peter V. Dubovskii and Roman G. Efremov
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cardiotoxin, disulfide-rich protein, three-finger toxin, membrane-mimetic environment, molecular modeling, spatial structure and dynamics, normal mode analysis, spatial structure and dynamics, Elapidae snake, Pharmacological characteristics, Naja pallida
Abstract: Cytotoxins (or cardiotoxins; CTs) are toxins from cobra venom characterized by the three-finger (TF) fold. CTs are on average 60-residue-long peptides, possessing as many as 4 disulfide bonds. The elements of antiparallel β-structure take origin from the hydrophobic core formed by the disulfides. The β-strands adopt the shape of the three loops, giving the name of the fold. While neurotoxins (NTs) - also TF proteins from snake venom - exert their effect through specific interactions with protein receptors, no specific protein target has been found for CTs. Unlike NTs, CTs are amphiphilic and cytotoxic against a variety of cells, including cancer ones. Thus, the hypothesis that the activity of CTs is caused by their interactions with lipid membranes is currently central. To understand molecular basis behind variations in toxicities of CTs highly homologous in their sequences, detailed knowledge of their structure and dynamics is required. The present review summarizes experimental and computational data on the spatial organization of CTs and their dynamics in various environments (aqueous solution, membranous milieus).
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
G. Konshina Anastasia, V. Dubovskii Peter and G. Efremov Roman, Structure and Dynamics of Cardiotoxins, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2012; 13 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920312803582960
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920312803582960 |
Print ISSN 1389-2037 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5550 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements in Proteomic and Peptidomic Approaches in Cancer Immunotherapy: Unveiling the Immune Microenvironment
The scope of this thematic issue centers on the integration of proteomic and peptidomic technologies into the field of cancer immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on exploring the tumor immune microenvironment. This issue aims to gather contributions that illustrate the application of these advanced methodologies in unveiling the complex interplay ...read more
Artificial Intelligence for Protein Research
Protein research, essential for understanding biological processes and creating therapeutics, faces challenges due to the intricate nature of protein structures and functions. Traditional methods are limited in exploring the vast protein sequence space efficiently. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer promising solutions by improving predictions and speeding up ...read more
Nutrition and Metabolism in Musculoskeletal Diseases
The musculoskeletal system consists mainly of cartilage, bone, muscles, tendons, connective tissue and ligaments. Balanced metabolism is of vital importance for the homeostasis of the musculoskeletal system. A series of musculoskeletal diseases (for example, sarcopenia, osteoporosis) are resulted from the dysregulated metabolism of the musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, metabolic diseases (such ...read more
Protein Folding, Aggregation and Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation
Protein folding, misfolding and aggregation remain one of the main problems of interdisciplinary science not only because many questions are still open, but also because they are important from the point of view of practical application. Protein aggregation and formation of fibrillar structures, for example, is a hallmark of a ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- 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
Related Articles
-
Molecular Mechanisms of Anti-cancer Activities of β-elemene: Targeting Hallmarks of Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Gene Therapy Targeting Nuclear Factor-κB: Towards Clinical Application in Inflammatory Diseases and Cancer
Current Gene Therapy Characteristic Alterations of Nuclear Structure and Chromatin Organisation of Cancer Cells Addressed by Proteome Analysis**
Current Proteomics Function of miRNA in Controlling Drug Resistance of Human Cancers
Current Drug Targets Nanotechology-Based Strategies to Enhance the Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy for Cancers
Current Drug Metabolism Tumor Suppression by DNA Base Excision Repair
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of New Polyoxo 2-Benzyl-2,3- dihydrobenzofurans and Their Related Compounds
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor: Exploring the Potential of Novel Inhibitor N-(3-Ethynylphenyl)-6, 7-bis (2-methoxyethoxy) Quinolin- 4-Amine Using Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Protein & Peptide Letters Targeting Tumor Suppressor p53 for Cancer Therapy: Strategies, Challenges and Opportunities
Current Drug Targets Recent Advances and Approaches in Targeting Apoptosis Signaling Pathways for Anti-Cancer Therapeutics
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Alternative Splicing and Tumor Progression
Current Genomics Regulatory Role of the α7nAChR in Cancer
Current Drug Targets Patent Selections
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery “What Is And What Should Never Be”<sup>#</sup>: Use and Misuse of HPV Testing in Cervical Cancer Prevention Strategies
Current Women`s Health Reviews Anticoagulant and Fibrinolytic Drugs – Possible Agents in Treatment of Lung Cancer?
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Nampt/Visfatin/PBEF: A Functionally Multi-faceted Protein with a Pivotal Role in Malignant Tumors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Tracking Cell Signaling Protein Expression and Phosphorylation by Innovative Proteomic Solutions
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Derivatives of Procaspase-Activating Compound 1 (PAC-1) and their Anticancer Activities
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Developments Towards the Synthesis of Varitriol: An Antitumour Agent from Marine Derived Fungus Emericella Variecolor
Current Organic Synthesis Dehydrocostus Lactone Induces Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest through Regulation of JAK2/STAT3/PLK1 Signaling Pathway in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry