Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Types of Toxins

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...

Bacterial Toxins

Bacterial Toxins

Bacterial toxins are sophisticated virulence factors that enable pathogenic bacteria to interact with, invade, and damage host tissues. These toxins fall broadly into two types: protein exotoxins, which are secreted into the environment and target specific host receptors, and lipopolysaccharide endotoxins, which are structural components of the bacterial outer membrane released primarily during bacterial lysis or membrane shedding. Exotoxins generally act more selectively, binding to cell...

Toxic Reactions: Overview

Toxic Reactions: Overview

When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...

Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin

Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin

Directly acting muscle relaxants like dantrolene and botulinum toxin (BoNT) have distinct mechanisms and applications. Dantrolene, a hydantoin derivative, acts on the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) in skeletal muscle cells. RYR1 are calcium channels present at the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. In response to excitation, they release calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Calcium promotes actin-myosin-mediated contraction of muscles.
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

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...

Toxidromes: Clinical Features

Toxidromes: Clinical Features

Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

LC-MS/MS Assay for Simultaneous Quantification of Dual-Targeting 1,5-Diaryl-1,2,4-Triazole Sulfonamides (WA11-13) in Human Plasma.

Biomedical chromatography : BMC·2025

Same author

Genome guided LAMP assay for rapid and reliable detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vasculorum.

Scientific reports·2025

Same author

Generation of Site-Specifically Labeled Affinity Reagents via Use of a Self-Labeling Single Domain Antibody.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025

Same author

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase by natural isothiocyanates.

Biochemical and biophysical research communications·2024

Same author

A data science practicum to introduce undergraduate students to bioinformatics for research.

Biochemistry and molecular biology education : a bimonthly publication of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·2023

Same author

Characterization of the Native Disulfide Isomers of the Novel χ-Conotoxin PnID: Implications for Further Increasing Conotoxin Diversity.

Marine drugs·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators

A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators

Published on: December 27, 2013

Conotoxins and their regulatory considerations.

Parashar Thapa¹, Michael J Espiritu¹, Chino C Cabalteja¹

¹Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology : RTP

|July 12, 2014

Summary

Conotoxins, venom peptides from marine cone snails, offer unique pharmacological properties for medical research. Their potent nature and strict regulations impact their use and biological engineering advancements.

Keywords:

Conotoxins Cyclic peptides Peptides Regulation Select agents

More Related Videos

Functional Evaluation of Biological Neurotoxins in Networked Cultures of Stem Cell-derived Central Nervous System Neurons

Functional Evaluation of Biological Neurotoxins in Networked Cultures of Stem Cell-derived Central Nervous System Neurons

Published on: February 5, 2015

A High Content Imaging Assay for Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors

A High Content Imaging Assay for Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors

Published on: November 14, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 27, 2026

A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators

A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators

Published on: December 27, 2013

Functional Evaluation of Biological Neurotoxins in Networked Cultures of Stem Cell-derived Central Nervous System Neurons

Functional Evaluation of Biological Neurotoxins in Networked Cultures of Stem Cell-derived Central Nervous System Neurons

Published on: February 5, 2015

A High Content Imaging Assay for Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors

A High Content Imaging Assay for Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors

Published on: November 14, 2014

Area of Science:

Marine biology
Biochemistry
Pharmacology

Background:

Conotoxins are peptides derived from marine cone snail venom.
These peptides possess unique pharmacological targeting properties.
Conotoxins are classified as 'select agents' by the US CDC due to their toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce the biochemical and pharmacological aspects of conotoxins.
To highlight advancements in the biological engineering of conotoxins.
To detail current regulations governing conotoxin research.

Main Methods:

Literature review of conotoxin biochemistry and pharmacology.
Analysis of current biological engineering techniques.
Examination of regulatory frameworks for select agents.

Main Results:

Conotoxins exhibit significant potential in medical research due to their specific targeting.
Biological engineering is advancing the utility of these peptides.
Strict regulations are in place due to their toxic nature.

Conclusions:

Conotoxins represent a valuable resource for pharmacological research.
Understanding their properties and regulations is crucial for effective utilization.
Ongoing research and engineering promise expanded applications.