Solution structure of μ-conotoxin PIIIA, a preferential inhibitor of persistent tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels

μ-Conotoxins are peptide inhibitors of voltage-sensitive sodium channels (VSSCs). Synthetic forms of μ-conotoxins PIIIA and PIIIA-(2-22) were found to inhibit tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive VSSC current but had little effect on TTX-resistant VSSC current in sensory ganglion neurons. In rat brain neurons, these peptides preferentially inhibited the persistent over the transient VSSC current. Radioligand binding assays revealed that PIIIA, PIIIA-(2-22), and μ-conotoxin GIIIB discriminated among TTX-sensitive VSSCs in rat brain, that these and GIIIC discriminated among the corresponding VSSCs in human brain, and GIIIA had low affinity for neuronal VSSCs. ₁H NMR studies found that PIIIA adopts two conformations in solution due to cis/trans isomerization at hydroxyproline 8. The major trans conformation results in a three-dimensional structure that is significantly different from the previously identified conformation of μ-conotoxins GIIIA and GIIIB that selectively target TTX-sensitive muscle VSSCs. Comparison of the structures and activity of PIIIA to muscle-selective μ-conotoxins provides an insight into the structural requirements for inhibition of different TTX-sensitive sodium channels by μ-conotoxins.