Papers of the Week

Several -derived venom peptides are promising lead compounds for the management of neuropathic pain, with α-conotoxins being of particular interest. Modification of the interlocked disulfide framework of α-conotoxin Vc1.1 has been achieved using on-resin alkyne metathesis. Although introduction of a metabolically stable alkyne motif significantly disrupts backbone topography, the structural modification generates a potent and selective GABA receptor agonist that inhibits Ca2.2 channels and exhibits dose-dependent reversal of mechanical allodynia in a behavioral rat model of neuropathic pain. The findings herein support the hypothesis that analgesia can be achieved via activation of GABARs expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons.