Marine organisms produce a wide array of toxins, many of which are not only structurally unusual, but also show potent and interesting modes of action. Since the discovery of tetrodotoxin, a pufferfish toxin, as a potent and selective blocker of Na+ channels in 1964, it has been widely used as a research tool in pharmacological and physiological research. This has led to the identification of a number of important biological functions for Na+ channels. In recent years, much biological research has been carried out at molecular and cellular levels, and therefore selective inhibitors of enzymes and selective antagonist/agonists of receptors and channels have become increasingly important research tools. Accordingly, interest in using such compounds as reagents has increased. Marine toxins are some of the most popular research tools and have already contributed much to our understanding of biological processes and disease mechanisms.

Highlights the crucial importance of marine toxins as research tools and potential drugs

Inhalt
Marine Toxins: An Overview.- Conotoxins: Molecular and Therapeutic Targets.- Sodium Channel Inhibiting Marine Toxins.- Sea Anemone Toxins Affecting Potassium Channels.- Ligands for Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors.- Marine Toxins Potently Affecting Neurotransmitter Release.- Toxins Affecting Actin Filaments and Microtubules.- Carcinogenic Aspects of Protein Phosphatase 1 and 2A Inhibitors.