Strategy for rapid immobilization of prey by a fish-hunting marine snail

Article Abstract:

The fish-hunting marine snail, Conus purpurascens, utilizes two parallel physiological procedures, neuromuscular block and excitotoxic shock, to immobilize fish rapidly. The novel peptide, kappa-conotoxin P(sub VIIA), and delta-conotoxin P(sub VIA)(super 5), are necessary for excitotoxic shock. The former peptide inhibits Shaker potassium channel activity, whereas the latter attenuates sodium-channel inactivation. The initial tethering of prey has a strong influence on the venom strategy of a predator.

Analysis, Cover Story, Behavior, Predation (Biology), Venom, Venoms

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Metallothionein in snail Cd and Cu metabolism

Article Abstract:

Terrestrial snails accumulate concentrations of cadmium and copper in their soft tissues. Two metallothionein isoforms from terrestrial helicid species, that are differentially involved in the handling of cadmium and copper, have been isolated and distinguished. The existence of such isoforms dedicated to cadmium detoxification and copper regulation offers a different explanation for the simultaneous handling of such metals by metallothioneins.

Research, Metabolism, Metallothionein

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Snail mail to the nucleus

Article Abstract:

Cingolani and colleagues have investigated importin Beta which interacts with the importin-Beta-binding (IBB) domain. They found that importin Beta is a tightly wound superhelix with a structure resembling a snail. Chook and Blobel have studied Karyopherin Beta2, an importin, and have solved the structure of Kap Beta2. Both studies indicate that Ran.GTP-induced structural changes have both common and particular features.

Observations, Cell research, Cytological research

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