Isolation and characterization of novel conopeptides from Conus brunneus

Cone snails are predatory marine mollusks found in the genus Conus that use a complex cocktail of peptides to capture prey and deter predators. Most of the venom components selectively target ion channels or receptors, making them invaluable tools in neurophysiological studies. In this study, the venom of Conus brunneus, a common Panamic vermivorous cone snail species, was characterized by the use of high performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and automated Edman degradation sequencing. Three novel peptide sequences were reported: two peptides were members of the M-superfamily and one peptide was classified as an alpha-conotoxin. The disulfide connectivity of a previously isolated P-conotoxin was also determined. These peptides comprise a partial peptide library of Conus brunneus and may prove useful in numerous structural and neurological studies.