AI Article Synopsis
- Alpha-conotoxins are small peptides found in marine snail venom that specifically target muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).
- Alpha-Conotoxin Imperialis I (alpha-Ctx-Iml) from Conus imperialis is a strong antagonist of nAChRs sensitive to alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-Bgtx) in mammals.
- Research shows that human small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells have these neuronal-type nAChRs, and activation leads to hormone secretion and cell growth, both of which are inhibited by alpha-Ctx-Iml, highlighting its potential as a research tool for studying these receptors.
Article Abstract
alpha-Conotoxins are small peptides present in the venom of different species of marine snails of the Conus genus that target nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), with a marked specificity for muscle-type nAChRs. alpha-Conotoxin Imperialis I (alpha-Ctx-Iml), from Conus imperialis, has been recently described as a potent antagonist of mammalian neuronal alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-Bgtx)-sensitive nAChRs. Human small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is a very aggressive tumor composed of neuroendocrine secretory cells. We demonstrated that human SCLC cells express neuronal-type alpha-Bgtx-sensitive nAChRs, and that their activation causes secretion of mitogenic hormones and stimulates cell proliferation, alpha-Ctx ImI inhibits both these nicotinic effects, and could therefore be considered a new important tool for investigating human neuronal-type alpha-Bgtx-sensitive nAChRs.
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Article Synopsis
- Alpha-conotoxins are small peptides found in marine snail venom that specifically target muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).
- Alpha-Conotoxin Imperialis I (alpha-Ctx-Iml) from Conus imperialis is a strong antagonist of nAChRs sensitive to alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-Bgtx) in mammals.
- Research shows that human small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells have these neuronal-type nAChRs, and activation leads to hormone secretion and cell growth, both of which are inhibited by alpha-Ctx-Iml, highlighting its potential as a research tool for studying these receptors.
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