ω-Conotoxin CVIE is a peptide toxin originally isolated from the sea snail-cat cone (Conus Catus). It is a selective blocker of N-type CaV channels and has an IC50 of 2.6 nM1. It is hypothesized that CVIE mostly interacts with the extracellular part of the channels but also modulates calcium channel binding kinetics and affinity through interaction with the channel’s intracellular part and auxiliary subunits. CVIE has a stronger affinity for inactivated calcium channels. Calcium channels recover from CVIE in a voltage dependent manner; recovery is faster at strong membrane hyperpolarization. Since voltage gated calcium channels play an important role in regulating neuronal excitability and nociceptors signal transduction, CVIE has been found to be effective in the alleviation of neuropathic and inflammatory pain2. Unlike other substances that alleviate pain CVIE does not produce sedation and motor-deficit side effect in vitro but further investigation is required for in vivo data
