Figure 1.

Sequence comparison of α-CTx LvIA with a variety of α-CTxs that have similar affinity for α3β2 and α6/α3β2β3nAChRs. ^aAmino acid conservations are denoted by light gray shade. Shaded amino acids are homologous within that locus of the set. The framework I scaffold formed by disulfide-bonded cysteines are in boldface and boxed. Disulfide connectivity of α-CTxs is between Cys¹–Cys³ and Cys²–Cys⁴. Asterisks denote C-terminal carboxamides. The highly conserved Ser and Pro in loop 1 are in boldface. ^bRatio of α6/α3β2β3:α3β2 IC₅₀ values. ^cNote that all nAChR subtypes were not tested in each instance. Only the subtypes for which the peptide has a value of IC₅₀ < 10 μM are listed ranked by potency. Refer to cited literature for full details. n.d., not determined. ^dRatio is for human subunits.