Tue, 21/06/2016 - 14:15
,
Homburg

Prof. Dr. Lars Ellgaard
(
Host: Dr. Ivan Bogeski
)
University of Copenhagen

Predatory marine cone snails of the genus Conus synthesize a great diversity of disulfide-rich neuropeptides referred to as conotoxins. Conotoxins selectively target specific subtypes of receptors or ion channels throughout the nervous system, a characteristic that has lead to wide use of conotoxins in ion channel research and as therapeutic agents. Here, I will present our recent identification of a hypervariable family of Protein Disulfide Isomerases (PDIs) that represents the most diverse gene family of oxidoreductases described in a single genus to date. These enzymes are highly expressed specifically in the venom glands of predatory cone snails. Enzymes in this PDI family, termed conotoxin-specific PDIs (csPDIs), significantly and differentially accelerate the kinetics of disulfide-bond formation of several conotoxins. The results are consistent with a unique biological scenario associated with protein folding: The diversification of a family of foldases can be correlated with the rapid evolution of an unprecedented diversity of disulfide-rich structural domains expressed by venomous marine snails in the superfamily Conoidea.

Upcoming Events

  • IRTG Intro Lecture

    Thu, 07/11/2024 - 14:00
    ,
    Online via MS teams

    Prof. Dr. Ivan Bogeski

    t.b.a.

  • IRTG Intro Lecture

    Thu, 28/11/2024 - 14:00
    ,
    Campus SB, Building E2 9, Room 0.07 and online via MS Teams

    Prof. Dr. Bianca Schrul

    t.b.a.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Legal notice Privacy policy