Octopus venom could be used to produce
drugs to treat pain, allergies, and even cancer,
according to venom researchers.
Image: iStockphoto
In 2007, University of Melbourne venom researcher, Dr Bryan Fry,
travelled to Antarctica with the Australian Antarctic Division, where he
collected 203 Antarctic octopuses.
Since then, Dr Fry and an international team have genetically
profiled each specimen to identify the species - resulting in four new
species - and collected venom for laboratory analysis.
Dr Fry says the venom analysis revealed that Antarctic octopus venom
harbours a range of toxins, two of which have not previously been
described.
'We have discovered new small proteins in the venom with very
intriguing activities. These are potentially useful in drug design, but
more will be revealed as the study continues,' he says.
The study follows Dr Fry's revelation last year that all octopuses
are venomous. His team then embarked on a huge task to collect and study
completely novel venoms to gain a greater understanding of how they
work.
'An understanding of the structure and mode of action of venom found
in all octopuses may help design drugs for pain management, allergies
and cancer,' he says.
Dr Fry says this is the first study that has collected Antarctic
octopus venom and confirmed that the animals have adapted it to work in
sub-zero temperatures. The next step is to work out what biochemical
tricks they have used.
Editor's Note:
Original news release can be found here.
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