[1] The polypeptide toxin halcurin is named after its source: the sea anemone genus Halcurias,[1] which are ocean dwelling solitary invertebrates.
[4] Based on the structural homology of halcurin with sea anemone toxin type 1 and 2 [1] it is likely to target neurotoxin receptor site 3.
Neurotoxin receptor site 3 is predicted to be at the domain IV of voltage gated sodium channel, more specifically at the extracellular loop of segment 3-4.
[5] Sea anemone toxin type 1 and 2 slow or prevent the conformational changes in domain IV segment 3-4 loop required for inactivation of the channel.
[6] Based on the structural homology of halcurin to sea anemone neurotoxin type 1 and 2,[1] it is likely to have a similar mode of action.