Conus peptides and neuroprotection.

Conus peptides comprise a diverse class of bioactive molecules, each of which is believed to have a biological target. From the 50,000 plus molecules thought to exist, several groups are judged to have potential neuroprotective activity. Those that block voltage-gated calcium channels were seen as most promising, but this is now in some doubt. Those that act at NMDA receptors may be able to protect against acute and chronic assault, while those acting at nicotinic receptors or at potassium channels seem mainly to have potential against chronic assault. The poor pharmacokinetic profile of the peptides remains a challenge.