Huwentoxin-XVI

Huwentoxin-XVI is a selective blocker of N-type Ca2+ channels. Huwentoxin-XVI is a 39 amino acids peptide that was discovered from the venom of the Chinese tarantula Ornithoctonus huwena. Huwentoxin-XVI was shown to be a potent blocker of HVA N-type calcium channels with an IC50 value of 60 nM in rat DRG. The blocking effect appears to be similar to that of ω-conotoxin-GVIA and ω-conotoxin-MVIIA. Neverthelss, Huwentoxin-XVI differs from GVIA and MVIIA thanks to its greater reversibility and its higher selectivity for N-type over P/Q type than MVIIA.