Peptide synthesis and chemical characterization of GIIIA conotoxin analogs

The potency of natural toxins arises from their specific interference with crucial cell functions. Quite recently toxins have been used to help define important processes taking place in cell membranes. Toxins have been found to either block or activate these processesthrouqh their membrane interactions (1). Peptide toxins from marine snails of the genus .QQ.o..u.s, commonly known as cone snails, have recently started to be used for a wide variety of studies.