Functional Characterization of the Nemertide α Family of Peptide Toxins

Peptide toxins find use in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture. They are exploited as pharmaceutical tools, particularly for the investigation of ion channels. Here, we report the synthesis and activity of a novel family of peptide toxins: the cystine-knotted α nemertides. Following the prototypic α-1 and -2 (1 and 2), six more nemertides were discovered by mining of available nemertean transcriptomes. Here, we describe their synthesis using solid phase peptide chemistry and their oxidative folding by using an improved protocol. Nemertides α-2 to α-7 (2-7) were produced to characterize their effect on voltage-gated sodium channels (Blatella germanica BgNa_V1 and mammalian Na_Vs1.1-1.8). In addition, ion channel activities were matched to in vivo tests using an Artemia microwell assay. Although nemertides demonstrate high sequence similarity, they display variability in activity on the tested Na_Vs. The nemertides are all highly toxic to Artemia, with EC₅₀ values in the sub-low micromolar range, and all manifest preference for the insect BgNa_V1 channel. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed key residues for Na_V-subtype selectivity. Combined with low EC₅₀ values (e.g., Na_V1.1: 7.9 nM (α-6); Na_V1.3: 9.4 nM (α-5); Na_V1.4: 14.6 nM (α-4)) this underscores the potential utility of α-nemertides for rational optimization to improve selectivity.