A novel range of conotoxins from Tocris to boost neurological research

Tocris Bioscience today announced the launch of a new range of conotoxins for use in pre-clinical research. Conotoxins, derived from cone snail venoms, are small peptide toxins typically 12-30 amino acid residues in length. As the active components of the venom they exhibit a tremendous natural pharmacology, and are some of the most potent and diverse neurotoxins known.

Three main classes of conotoxins have been the identified as particularly useful research tools; the alpha-conotoxins, which bind to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; mu-conotoxins, which act on postsynaptic sodium channels, and omega-conotoxins, which inhibit N-type voltage-gated calcium channels. These properties make the conotoxins valuable research tools for the investigation of multiple models of currently intractable human disease, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and schizophrenia. Following licensing deals with the University of Utah, and Dr Bruce Livett, these valuable research materials are now available from Tocris Bioscience.

The following conotoxins are available:

• ACV 1, α9α10-selective antagonist, Cat. No. 3205
• a-Conotoxin AuIB, Selective α3β4 nAChR antagonist, Cat. No. 3120
• a-Conotoxin EI, α1β1δγ selective nAChR antagonist, Cat. No. 3124
• w-Conotoxin GVIA, Ca2+ channel blocker (N-type), Cat. No. 1085
• a-Conotoxin ImI, α7 and α9 selective nAChR antagonist, Cat. No. 3119
• a-Conotoxin MII, Potent α3β2 and β3 subunit selective nicotinic antagonist, Cat. No. 1340
• w-Conotoxin MVIIC, Ca2+ channel blocker (N, P and Q-type), Cat. No. 1084
• a-Conotoxin PIA, Selective antagonist of α6-containing nicotinic receptors, Cat. No. 3121
• a-Conotoxin PnIA, Selective α3β2 nAChR antagonist, Cat. No. 3123

Duncan Crawford, Tocris' Chief Scientific Officer, said, "We know that there is a great deal of interest in conotoxins from the global research community. By making these fully licensed materials available through our catalogue, we hope to promote new and exciting research in the fundamental processes that cause brain diseases. For Tocris these important new products perfectly compliment our comprehensive and expanding range of high purity compounds, which are in use worldwide to further biomedical research. We are delighted that our excellent relationships with the University of Utah and Dr Bruce Livett has allowed us to make these peptides available to scientists working on fundamental mechanisms in Neuroscience."

Full product information on Tocris' conotoxin range can be viewed on the company website.