The three-dimensional structure of the analgesic α-conotoxin, RgIA

The α-conotoxin RgIA is a selective antagonist of the α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and has been shown to be a potent analgesic and reduces nerve injury associated inflammation. RgIA was chemically synthesized and found to fold into two disulfide isomers, globular and ribbon. The native globular isomer inhibited ACh-evoked currents reversibly in oocytes expressing rat α9α10 nAChRs but the ribbon isomer was inactive. We determined the three-dimensional structure of RgIA using NMR methods to assist in elucidating the molecular role of RgIA in analgesia and inflammation.