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An inhibitor cystine knot (aka ICK or Knottin) is a protein structural motif containing three disulfide bridges. Along with the sections of polypeptide between them, two disulfides form a loop through which the third disulfide bond (linking the 3rd and 6th cysteine in the sequence) passes, forming a knot. The motif is common in invertebrate toxins such as those from arachnids and molluscs. The motif is also found in some inhibitor proteins found in plants, but the plant and animal motifs are thought to be a product of convergent evolution. The ICK motif is a very stable protein structure which is resistant to heat denaturation and proteolysis. ICK peptide components of venoms target voltage-gated ion channels but members of the family also act as antibacterial and haemolytic agents. Plant ICK proteins are often protease inhibitors. Because of their stability, ICK motifs are being developed as possible therapeutics.
The mammalian proteins Agouti signalling peptide and Agouti related peptide are the only know mammalian examples of this motif. Both are neuropeptides involved in cell signalling. The former is responsible for hair (fur) colouration.
The motif is similar to the cyclic cystine knot or cyclotide, but lacks the cyclisation of the polypeptide backbone which is present in the latter family. The growth factor cystine knot (GFCK) shares the motif but its topology is such that it is the bond between the first and fourth disulphide which threads through the loop.