Three neurotoxic peptides from the venom of Conus striatus have been purified, biochemically characterized, and chemically synthesized. One of these, an acetylcholine receptor blocker designated alpha-conotoxin SII, has the sequence GCCCNPACGPNYGCGTSCS. In contrast to all other alpha-conotoxins, SII has three disulfide bonds (instead of two), has no net positive charge, and has a free C-terminus. The other two paralytic peptides are Ca channel-targeted omega-conotoxins, SVIA and SVIB. omega-SVIA is the smallest natural omega-conotoxin so far characterized and has the sequence CRSSGSPCGVTSICCGRCYRGKCT-NH2. Although omega-conotoxin SVIA is a potent paralytic toxic in lower vertebrate species, it was much less effective in mammals. The third toxin, omega-conotoxin SVIB, has the sequence CKLKGQSCRKTSYDCCSGSCGRSGKC-NH2. This peptide has a different pharmacological specificity from other omega-conotoxins previously purified from Conus venoms; only omega-conotoxin SVIB has proven to be lethal to mice upon ic injection. Binding competition experiments with rat brain synaptosomal membranes indicate that the high-affinity binding site for omega-conotoxin SVIB is distinct from the high-affinity omega-conotoxin GVIA or MVIIA site.
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