alpha-conotoxins as tools for the elucidation of structure and function of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes

Cone snails comprise approximate to 500 species of venomous molluscs, which have evolved the ability to generate multiple toxins with varied and often exquisite selectivity. One class, the alpha-conotoxins, is proving to be a powerful tool for the differentiation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These comprise a large family of complex subtypes, whose significance in physiological functions and pathological conditions is increasingly becoming apparent. After a short introduction into the structure and diversity of nAChRs, this overview summarizes the identification and characterization of alpha-conotoxins with selectivity for neuronal nAChR subtypes and provides examples of their use in defining the compositions and function of neuronal nAChR subtypes in native vertebrate tissues

Vascular and neuronal development: Intersecting parallelisms and rossroads

Two key events during evolution allowed vertebrates to develop specialized tissues able to perform complex tasks: the formation of a highly branched vascular system ensuring that all tissues receive adequate blood supply, and the development of a nervous system in which nerves branches to transmit electrical signal to peripheral organs. Both networks are laid down in a complex and stereotyped manner, which is tightly controlled by a series of shared developmental cues. Vessels and nerves use similar signals and principles to grow, differentiate and navigate toward their final targets. Moreover, the vascular and the nervous system cross-talk and, when deregulated, they contribute to medically relevant diseases. The emerging evidence that both systems share several molecular pathways not only provides an important link between vascular biology and neuroscience, but also promises to accelerate the discovery of new pathogenetic insights and therapeutic strategies