Ca_V channels mediate Ca²⁺ influx through cell membrane as a response to membrane depolarization. N-type channels require strong depolarization for activation and are mostly expressed in neurons where they initiate neurotransmission in fast synapses and mediate Ca²⁺ entry into cell bodies and dendrites¹.

ω-conotoxin CVIA is a 27 amino acid neuropeptide² belonging to a class of four new ω-conotoxins (CVIA-D) extracted from the venom of the Conus Catus snail. These peptides inhibit neuronal voltage sensitive Ca²⁺ channels in mammals. Interestingly, unlike other ω-conotoxins CVID has a loop 4 sequence and has the highest affinity to N-type channels over other types of Ca²⁺ channels while CVIA shows a lower affinity to N-type channels.

CVIA is efficient in the management of severe pain, has clinical potential in ischemic brain injury and was also found to inhibit the contraction of electrically stimulated rat vas deferens with an IC₅₀ of 205 nM³.