From Foe to Friend: Using Animal Toxins to Investigate Ion Channel Function

Ion channels are vital contributors to cellular communication in a wide range of organisms, a distinct feature that renders this ubiquitous family of membrane-spanning proteins a prime target for toxins found in animal venom. For many years, the unique properties of these naturally occurring molecul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of molecular biology 2015-01, Vol.427 (1), p.158-175
Main Authors: Kalia, Jeet, Milescu, Mirela, Salvatierra, Juan, Wagner, Jordan, Klint, Julie K., King, Glenn F., Olivera, Baldomero M., Bosmans, Frank
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal toxin
Animals
Humans
Ion Channel Gating - drug effects
Ion Channels - drug effects
Ion Channels - physiology
screening approaches
Signal Transduction - drug effects
toxin engineering
Toxins, Biological - pharmacology
transient receptor potential channel
voltage-gated ion channel
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Summary:Ion channels are vital contributors to cellular communication in a wide range of organisms, a distinct feature that renders this ubiquitous family of membrane-spanning proteins a prime target for toxins found in animal venom. For many years, the unique properties of these naturally occurring molecules have enabled researchers to probe the structural and functional features of ion channels and to define their physiological roles in normal and diseased tissues. To illustrate their considerable impact on the ion channel field, this review will highlight fundamental insights into toxin–channel interactions and recently developed toxin screening methods and practical applications of engineered toxins. [Display omitted] •Ion channels are vital contributors to cellular communication and are targeted by toxins found in animal venoms.•For many years, the unique properties of toxins have enabled researchers to probe the structural and functional features of ion channels.•This review highlights fundamental insights into toxin–channel interactions by focusing on representative examples from the voltage-gated sodium, voltage-gated potassium, voltage-gated calcium, and transient receptor potential channel field.•Recent developments in toxin screening methods are discussed.•Practical examples of cases in which toxin engineering was successfully used to address specific ion channel questions are also provided.
ISSN:0022-2836
1089-8638
DOI:10.1016/j.jmb.2014.07.027