In Silico Conotoxin Studies: Progress and Prospects

Cone snails of the genus <i>Conus</i> have evolved to produce structurally distinct and functionally diverse venom peptides for defensive and predatory purposes. This nature-devised delicacy enlightened drug discovery and for decades, the bioactive cone snail venom peptides, known as con...

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Main Authors: Ruihan Li, Md. Mahadhi Hasan, Dan Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/24/6061
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author Ruihan Li
Md. Mahadhi Hasan
Dan Wang
author_facet Ruihan Li
Md. Mahadhi Hasan
Dan Wang
author_sort Ruihan Li
collection DOAJ
description Cone snails of the genus <i>Conus</i> have evolved to produce structurally distinct and functionally diverse venom peptides for defensive and predatory purposes. This nature-devised delicacy enlightened drug discovery and for decades, the bioactive cone snail venom peptides, known as conotoxins, have been widely explored for their therapeutic potential, yet we know very little about them. With the augmentation of computational algorithms from the realms of bioinformatics and machine learning, in silico strategies have made substantial contributions to facilitate conotoxin studies although still with certain limitations. In this review, we made a bibliometric analysis of in silico conotoxin studies from 2004 to 2024 and then discussed in silico strategies to not only efficiently classify conotoxin superfamilies but also speed up drug discovery from conotoxins, reveal binding modes of known conotoxin–ion channel interactions at a microscopic level and relate the mechanisms of ion channel modulation to its underlying molecular structure. We summarized the current progress of studies in this field and gave an outlook on prospects.
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spelling doaj-art-2356fccb97144bcca6f6edc282d45b542025-08-20T02:01:20ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492024-12-012924606110.3390/molecules29246061In Silico Conotoxin Studies: Progress and ProspectsRuihan Li0Md. Mahadhi Hasan1Dan Wang2Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaDivision of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, AustraliaDepartment of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaCone snails of the genus <i>Conus</i> have evolved to produce structurally distinct and functionally diverse venom peptides for defensive and predatory purposes. This nature-devised delicacy enlightened drug discovery and for decades, the bioactive cone snail venom peptides, known as conotoxins, have been widely explored for their therapeutic potential, yet we know very little about them. With the augmentation of computational algorithms from the realms of bioinformatics and machine learning, in silico strategies have made substantial contributions to facilitate conotoxin studies although still with certain limitations. In this review, we made a bibliometric analysis of in silico conotoxin studies from 2004 to 2024 and then discussed in silico strategies to not only efficiently classify conotoxin superfamilies but also speed up drug discovery from conotoxins, reveal binding modes of known conotoxin–ion channel interactions at a microscopic level and relate the mechanisms of ion channel modulation to its underlying molecular structure. We summarized the current progress of studies in this field and gave an outlook on prospects.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/24/6061venom peptidesin silico strategiesdrug discoverybinding modes
spellingShingle Ruihan Li
Md. Mahadhi Hasan
Dan Wang
In Silico Conotoxin Studies: Progress and Prospects
Molecules
venom peptides
in silico strategies
drug discovery
binding modes
title In Silico Conotoxin Studies: Progress and Prospects
title_full In Silico Conotoxin Studies: Progress and Prospects
title_fullStr In Silico Conotoxin Studies: Progress and Prospects
title_full_unstemmed In Silico Conotoxin Studies: Progress and Prospects
title_short In Silico Conotoxin Studies: Progress and Prospects
title_sort in silico conotoxin studies progress and prospects
topic venom peptides
in silico strategies
drug discovery
binding modes
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/24/6061
work_keys_str_mv AT ruihanli insilicoconotoxinstudiesprogressandprospects
AT mdmahadhihasan insilicoconotoxinstudiesprogressandprospects
AT danwang insilicoconotoxinstudiesprogressandprospects