Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Mari, Frank

Abstract

The venom of cone snails is a potent cocktail of peptides, proteins, and other small molecules. Several of the peptides (conopeptides and conotoxins) target ion channels and receptors and have proven useful as biochemical probes or pharmaceutical leads. In this study, the venom of a fish-hunting cone snail, Conus purpurascens was analyzed for intraspecific variability; α-conotoxins from the venom were isolated by high performance liquid chromatography, identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, and tested in a electrophysiological assay in Drosophila melanogaster; the effects of diet change on venom composition was investigated. It has been determined that each specimen of C. purpurascens expresses a distinct venom, resulting in the expression of more than 5,000 unique conopeptides across the species. α- conotoxin PIA was shown to inhibit the Dα7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Extent

76 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00004403

Format

pdf

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