Conus venom peptides, receptor and ion channel targets, and drug design: 50 million years of neuropharmacology

The predatory cone snails (Conus) are among the most successful living marine animals (~500 living species). Each Conus species is a specialist in neuropharmacology, and uses venom to capture prey, to escape from and defend against predators and possibly to deter competitors. An individual cone snail's venom contains a diverse mixture of pharmacological agents, mostly small, structurally constrained peptides (conotoxins). Individual peptides are selectively targeted to a specific isoform of receptor or ion channel.