—Scorpion venom yields novel alkaloid “Most scorpion venom compounds are peptides, so alkaloid comes as a surprise” Scorpion venom packs more than a painful sting. It’s also chock full of novel bioactive compounds—most of them polypeptides—that intrigue scientists. For the first time, researchers have identified an alkaloid from a scorpion’s chemical cocktail (J.
by Emma Hiolski | August 17, 2018
—VENOM YIELDS TREASURE TROVE “NMR spectroscopy reveals unexpected sulfated nucleosides in spider venom” Novel sulfated nucleosides that are likely to have potent biological activity have been identified in spider venom through the use of a new analytical approach based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
by MICHAEL FREEMANTLE | August 09, 2004
—Centipede Venom To Ease Your Pain “Researchers think that a peptide in the creepy-crawly’s venom selectively blocks a sodium ion channel linked to pain” Venomous, loaded with legs, and measuring 8 inches long—the Chinese red-headed centipede is a creepy-crawly thing most of us would steer clear of. But new research shows that a peptide in this creature’s venom could be a candidate for treating chronic pain (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2013, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1306285110). Six FDA-approved drugs have been derived from proteins or peptides found in various venoms, including the analgesic Prialt (ziconotide), which is a synthetic version of a compound found in the cone snail.
by Bethany Halford | October 07, 2013
Until now, obtaining snake venom has involved “milking” a snake—massaging its venom gland to expel a cocktail of toxins in tiny amounts. The lack of a more accessible method to get larger amounts of these toxins means that venom from a only handful of poisonous snakes has been studied. But scientists in a lab known for growing miniorgans from mouse or human stem cells have figured out how to make, in a dish, mini venom glands that can pump out the stuff in bulk (Cell 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.11.038).
by Alla Katsnelson, special to C&EN | February 01, 2020
—Green mamba venom could treat kidney disorder “A protein in the snake’s poison blocks a receptor linked to polycystic kidney disease” A green mamba bite results in dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeats, convulsions, and sometimes death. But the snake’s deadly venom contains a small peptide that could one day save lives. Researchers led by Christiane Mendre of the University of Montpellier, Ralph Witzgall of the University of Regensburg, Nicolas Gilles of Paris-Saclay University, and colleagues plucked a peptide out of the venom that might help people with polycystic kidney disease (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2017, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1620454114).
by Sarah Everts | June 26, 2017