Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions01:27

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions

Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers prevent the membrane depolarization of muscle cells and inhibit muscle contraction. These are usually administered with anesthetics to achieve complete muscle relaxation. Upon administration, these drugs first block the small, rapidly contracting muscles of the face and hands, followed by the larger muscles of the trunk and the intercostal muscles. The diaphragm is the last muscle to be affected.
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates these...
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacokinetics01:11

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacokinetics

All neuromuscular blocking agents are injected intravenously because they are poorly absorbed from the GI tract. Rapid onset is achieved with intravenous administration, although absorption is also adequate from an intramuscular injection. Since these agents are highly ionized, they do not readily penetrate cell membranes or cross the blood-brain barrier.
Instead, they are transported by the blood to different tissues. Muscles with a greater blood supply (arteries) and blood flow receive more...
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action01:17

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action

Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers induce paralysis by competitively blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the muscle end plate. Examples include pancuronium, mivacurium, vecuronium, and rocuronium. These quaternary ammonium derivatives are administered intravenously, are poorly absorbed, and are excreted via the kidneys.
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Distinct neuroinflammatory effects of individual chemotherapeutics shape chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in a novel mouse model of CVAD combination regimen.

Pain·2026
Same author

Venom composition of the ant Tetraponera rufonigra reveals insights into the evolution of dimeric ant venom peptides.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2026
Same author

Spider venom peptides Ht1a and Gg1a are toxic to honeybee parasite <i>Varroa destructor</i> by topical application.

npj drug discovery·2026
Same author

The Excelsatoxin A-Receptor TMEM233 Modulates Nav1.8.

FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·2026
Same author

Caste-Specific Functional Variation in the Venom of the Army Ant Eciton hamatum.

Molecular ecology·2026
Same author

Repeated convergent evolution of bradykinin mimics as defensive toxins.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Extraction of Venom and Venom Gland Microdissections from Spiders for Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses
10:25

Extraction of Venom and Venom Gland Microdissections from Spiders for Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses

Published on: November 3, 2014

Conus venom peptide pharmacology.

Richard J Lewis1, Sébastien Dutertre, Irina Vetter

  • 1Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Q4072, Australia. r.lewis@imb.uq.edu.au

Pharmacological Reviews
|March 13, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Cone snail venom contains conopeptides that target ion channels and receptors, offering valuable tools for research and potential pain therapies. Further discovery and structure-activity studies will expand their therapeutic applications.

More Related Videos

A Liposome Membrane Permeability Assay for Investigating the Effects of Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Groups on Membranotropic Action of Venom PLA2
10:31

A Liposome Membrane Permeability Assay for Investigating the Effects of Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Groups on Membranotropic Action of Venom PLA2

Published on: September 26, 2025

Synthesis and Structure Determination of &#181;-Conotoxin PIIIA Isomers with Different Disulfide Connectivities
11:44

Synthesis and Structure Determination of µ-Conotoxin PIIIA Isomers with Different Disulfide Connectivities

Published on: October 2, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

Extraction of Venom and Venom Gland Microdissections from Spiders for Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses
10:25

Extraction of Venom and Venom Gland Microdissections from Spiders for Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses

Published on: November 3, 2014

A Liposome Membrane Permeability Assay for Investigating the Effects of Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Groups on Membranotropic Action of Venom PLA2
10:31

A Liposome Membrane Permeability Assay for Investigating the Effects of Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Groups on Membranotropic Action of Venom PLA2

Published on: September 26, 2025

Synthesis and Structure Determination of &#181;-Conotoxin PIIIA Isomers with Different Disulfide Connectivities
11:44

Synthesis and Structure Determination of µ-Conotoxin PIIIA Isomers with Different Disulfide Connectivities

Published on: October 2, 2018

Area of Science:

  • * Pharmacology
  • * Biochemistry
  • * Neuroscience

Background:

  • * Conopeptides are diverse venom peptides from cone snails, evolved for prey capture and defense.
  • * Over 1000 conopeptides exist per species, with a small fraction characterized for high-potency, specific targeting of membrane proteins.
  • * Many conopeptides modulate ion channels and receptors relevant to excitable cells and pain pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To review the diversity, pharmacology, structure-activity relationships, and therapeutic potential of conopeptides.
  • * To highlight conopeptides targeting voltage-gated ion channels, ligand-gated ion channels, G-protein-coupled receptors, and neurotransmitter transporters.
  • * To discuss the clinical applications of conopeptides, particularly sodium and calcium channel inhibitors and alpha-conotoxins.

Main Methods:

  • * Literature review of conopeptide research.
  • * Analysis of pharmacological data on conopeptide targets.
  • * Discussion of structure-activity relationships and therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

  • * Conopeptides exhibit diverse mechanisms, primarily inhibiting ion channels (voltage-gated and ligand-gated).
  • * Several conopeptides are validated research tools for studying ion channel function in excitable cells.
  • * Significant therapeutic potential exists, with some conopeptides approved or in development for pain management.

Conclusions:

  • * Conopeptides represent a rich source of bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic promise, especially for pain.
  • * Continued exploration via proteomics, transcriptomics, and structural biology will drive the discovery of new conopeptides and therapies.
  • * Conopeptides are crucial research tools, aiding in the understanding of ion channel function and neurological pathways.