Methods of identifying insect-specific spider toxin mimics

摘要

Disclosed herein are methods of identifying a candidate molecule that mimics at least a portion of the three-dimensional structure of a rU-ACTX-Hv1a insecticidal toxin, the method comprising providing a molecular model made from the atomic co-ordinates for the rU-ACTX-Hv1a insecticidal toxin as disclosed herein, using the molecular model to identify a candidate molecule that mimics the three-dimensional structure of the rU-ACTX-Hv1a insecticidal toxin; and providing the candidate molecule that is identified. The method optionally comprises employing a molecular model identifying the pharmacophoric residues of U-ACTX as Q⁸, P⁹, N²⁸, and V³⁴.