Solution structures of two structural isoforms of CMrVIA χ/ λ-conotoxin

Abstract

α-Conotoxins possess a conserved four-cysteine framework and disulfide linkages (C1-3, C2-4) that fold toward the globular conformation with absolute fidelity. Despite the presence of a similar conserved set of cysteine framework, χ/ λ-conotoxins adopt an alternate disulfide-pairing (C1-4, C2-3) and its consequent ribbon conformation, exhibiting distinct biological activities from (α-conotoxins. χ/λ-Conotoxin CMrVIA (VCCGYKLCHOC-COOH) isolated from the venom of Conus marmoreus natively exists in the ribbon conformation and induces seizures in mice at a potency that is of three orders higher than the non-native globular form. We have chemically synthesized two isoforms of CMrVIA conotoxin in the ribbon and globular conformation and determined their structures by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The ribbon (PDB ID 2B5P) and globular conformations (PBD ID 2B5Q) were calculated to have paired-wise backbone RMSDs of 0.48 ± 0.1 and 0.58 ± 0.1 Å respectively. Unlike the native globular α-conotoxins, the globular canonical form of CMrVIA χ/λ-conotoxin exhibited heterogeneity in its solution structure as noted by the presence of minor conformers and poorer RMSD of structure calculation. Paired-wise backbone comparison between the native ribbon and the non-native globular form of CMrVIA conotoxin revealed an RMSD of 4.73 Å, emphasizing their distinct conformational differences. These structural data are essential for the understanding of the structure-function activity of χ/ λ-conotoxins, as well as unraveling the folding propensities of these short peptide toxins. © 2006 American Chemical Society.