Efficient preparation and properties of mRNAs containing a fluorescent cap analog: Anthraniloyl-m(7)GpppG.

A method has been developed for synthesising fluorescently labeled capped mRNA. The method incorporates a single fluorescent molecule as part of the 5'-mRNA or oligonucleotide cap site. The fluorescent molecule, Ant-m(7)GTP is specifically incorporated into the cap site to yield Ant-m(7)GpppG-capped mRNA or oligonucleotide.

Therapeutic applications of conotoxins that target the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Pain therapeutics discovered by molecular mining of the expressed genome of Australian predatory cone snails are providing lead compounds for the treatment of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, shingles, diabetic neuropathy and other painful neurological conditions. The high specificity exhibited by these novel compounds for neuronal receptors and ion channels in the brain and nervous system indicates the high degree of selectivity that this class of neuropeptides can be expected to show when used therapeutically in humans. A lead compound, ACV1 (conotoxin Vc1.

Drugs from the sea: conopeptides as potential therapeutics.

Marine cone snails from the genus Conus are estimated to consist of up to 700 species. These predatory molluscs have devised an efficient venom apparatus that allows them to successfully capture polychaete worms, other molluscs or in some cases fish as their primary food sources. The toxic venom used by the cone shells contains up to 50 different peptides that selectively inhibit the function of ion channels involved in the transmission of nerve signals in animals.

Determining sequences and post-translational modifications of novel conotoxins in Conus victoriae using cDNA sequencing and mass spectrometry.

A combination of cDNA cloning and detailed mass spectrometric analyses was employed to identify novel conotoxins from Conus victoriae. Eleven conotoxin sequences were determined using molecular methods: one belonging to the A superfamily (Vc1.1), six belonging to the O superfamily (Vc6.