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Peptidomic analysis and characterization of the venom from Conus purpurascens

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Date Issued:
2015
Summary:
The venom of cone snails is a potent cocktail of peptides, proteins, and other small molecules. Several of the peptides (conopeptides and conotoxins) target ion channels and receptors and have proven useful as biochemical probes or pharmaceutical leads. In this study, the venom of a fish-hunting cone snail, Conus purpurascens was analyzed for intraspecific variability; α-conotoxins from the venom were isolated by high performance liquid chromatography, identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, and tested in a electrophysiological assay in Drosophila melanogaster; the effects of diet change on venom composition was investigated. It has been determined that each specimen of C. purpurascens expresses a distinct venom, resulting in the expression of more than 5,000 unique conopeptides across the species. α- conotoxin PIA was shown to inhibit the Dα7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
Title: Peptidomic analysis and characterization of the venom from Conus purpurascens.
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Name(s): Rodriguez, Alena, author
Mari, Frank, Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2015
Date Issued: 2015
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 76 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The venom of cone snails is a potent cocktail of peptides, proteins, and other small molecules. Several of the peptides (conopeptides and conotoxins) target ion channels and receptors and have proven useful as biochemical probes or pharmaceutical leads. In this study, the venom of a fish-hunting cone snail, Conus purpurascens was analyzed for intraspecific variability; α-conotoxins from the venom were isolated by high performance liquid chromatography, identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, and tested in a electrophysiological assay in Drosophila melanogaster; the effects of diet change on venom composition was investigated. It has been determined that each specimen of C. purpurascens expresses a distinct venom, resulting in the expression of more than 5,000 unique conopeptides across the species. α- conotoxin PIA was shown to inhibit the Dα7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
Identifier: FA00004403 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Conidae -- Environmental aspects
Drosophila melanogaster
Gastropoda -- Venom
Peptides -- Structure
Venom
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Links: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004403
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004403
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Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.