The venom of the purple sea snail may help fight cancer

in science •  7 years ago 

The venom of the famous purple cone marine snail Conus purpurascens has a worthy reputation. Although the creature was one then the slowest creatures of the ocean, its venom is so fast that it could kill the fastest swimming fish. Recently, scientists have published a study on one of the enzymes of the venom, which can be used to penetrate the walls of the cells and to deliver a drug directly into the cell. Separately, another of the enzymes of the venom perhaps will lead to an innovative treatment of Parkinson's disease. Insulin sea snail is even more powerful than human insulin.

Now it turned out that the new substance from the venom of Conus purpurascens, called conotoxin can defuse certain receptors in the cell. This can be very important for scientists who seek treatment of many diseases in which cell receptors are involved, including cancers.

source: Science Alert

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