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Production of Life-Saving Drugs from Marine Sources
Published in Prasenjit Mondal, Ajay K. Dalai, Sustainable Utilization of Natural Resources, 2017
The powerful analgesic effect of ziconotide results from its intrathecal injection that interferes pain signaling at the spinal cord by selectively blocking neurotransmission at N-type calcium channels on nerve cells (Wang et al. 2016). Ziconotide was developed into an artificially manufactured drug by Elan Corporation. U.S. FDA approved for its sale under the name Prialt for the treatment of severe chronic pain in patients suffering from cancer, AIDS, or certain neurological disorders. Ziconotide is delivered directly into fluid surrounding the spinal cord through intrathecal route. It is effective and safer than morphine as no addiction or tolerance is developed on its prolonged administration.
A secretory system for extracellular production of spider neurotoxin huwentoxin-I in Escherichia coli
Published in Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 2022
Changjun Liu, Qing Yan, Ke Yi, Tianhao Hu, Jianjie Wang, Zheyang Zhang, Huimin Li, Yutao Luo, Dongyi Zhang, Er Meng
Under the constant evolutionary pressure of millions of years, animal venoms with extraordinary biological potency and exceptional target selectivity have been evolutionarily fine-tuned in venom glands of venomous animals for hunting prey and defending against predators to their intended molecular targets.[1,2] At present, animal venoms, composed of massive bioactive peptides or proteins as well as small organic molecules, have become a naturally pharmaceutical arsenal containing ideal candidates as pharmacological tools, human therapeutics, and bioinsecticides.[3,4] Bioactive peptides and proteins, which are usually tightly folded and stabilized by single or multiple disulfide bonds, are the major components widely expressed in animal venoms.[2,5] The well-defined three-dimensional structures and topological orientation of the cysteine-rich peptides were well scaffolded by the disulfide bond frameworks, thus improving the thermal, chemical, and enzymatical stability, potency, and selectivity of the peptides.[6–8] Until now, cysteine-rich peptides of less than 100 amino acids residues are the best-studied toxins in venom research. Ziconotide, an analgesic peptide isolated from cone snail, is a well-known example of cysteine-rich peptides for relieving chronic pain.[9]