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Updated: May 31, 2026

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
Published on: June 30, 2013
Therapeutic potential of peptide toxins that target ion channels
Evelyne Beraud1, K George Chandy
1Centre de Recherches en Oncologie Biologique et Oncopharmacologie (CRO2), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Faculté de Médecine la Timone, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France. evelyne.beraud@univmed.fr
Abstract:
Traditional healthcare systems in China, India, Greece and the Middle East have for centuries exploited venomous creatures as a resource for medicines. This review focuses on one class of pharmacologically active compounds from venom, namely peptide toxins that target ion channels. We highlight their therapeutic potential and the specific channels they target. The field of therapeutic application is vast, including pain, inflammation, cancer, neurological disorders, cardioprotection, and autoimmune diseases. One of these peptides is in clinical use, and many others are in various stages of pre-clinical and clinical development.
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