Analgesic ω-conotoxins CVIE and CVIF selectively and voltage-dependently block recombinant and native n-type calcium channels

Neuronal (N)-type Ca2+ channel-selective ω-conotoxins have emerged as potential new drugs for the treatment of chronic pain. In this study, two new ω-conotoxins, CVIE and CVIF, were discovered from a Conus catus cDNA library. Both conopeptides potently displaced 125I-GVIA binding to rat brain membranes. In Xenopus laevis oocytes, CVIE and CVIF potently and selectively inhibited depolarization-activated Ba2+ currents through recombinant N-type (α1B-b/α2δ1/β3) Ca2+ channels. Recovery from block increased with membrane hyperpolarization, indicating that CVIE and CVIF have a higher affinity for channels in the inactivated state. The link between inactivation and the reversibility of ω-conotoxin action was investigated by creating molecular diversity in β subunits: N-type channels with β2a subunits almost completely recovered from CVIE or CVIF block, whereas those with β3 subunits exhibited weak recovery, suggesting that reversibility of the ω-conotoxin block may depend on the type of β-subunit isoform. In rat dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons, neither peptide had an effect on low-voltage-activated T-type channels but potently and selectively inhibited high voltage-activated N-type Ca2+ channels in a voltage-dependent manner. In rat spinal cord slices, both peptides reversibly inhibited excitatory monosynaptic transmission between primary afferents and dorsal horn superficial lamina neurons. Homology models of CVIE and CVIF suggest that ω-conotoxin/voltage-gated Ca2+ channel interaction is dominated by ionic/electrostatic interactions. In the rat partial sciatic nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain, CVIE and CVIF (1 nM) significantly reduced allodynic behavior. These N-type Ca2+ channel-selective ω-conotoxins are therefore useful as neurophysiological tools and as potential therapeutic agents to inhibit nociceptive pain pathways. © 2010, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET)

Keywords

Calcium, Therapy, Drugs, Pain, Electric potential, Nerve cells

Citation

Berecki, G., Motin, L., Haythornthwaite, A., Vink, S., Bansal, P., Drinkwater, R., Wang, C. I., Moretta, M., Lewis, R. J., Alewood, P. F., Christie, M. J., & Adams, D. J. Analgesic ω-conotoxins CVIE and CVIF selectively and voltage-dependently block recombinant and native n-type calcium channels. Molecular Pharmacology, 77(2), 139-148. doi.10.1124/mol.109.058834