Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Coral Snake's Venom Finally Understood


     It look longer than a decade to figure out, but researchers finally identified how a coral snake's poisonous venom kills prey. Using biochemical studies, the researchers successfully identified the two proteins responsible for the venom: micrurotoxins (MmTx). The researchers tagged these proteins and observed them to figure out how they cause the seizures that kill the prey. Basically, these proteins bind onto the GABA (A) receptors located in the pores of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord of the prey. Once attached, the MmTX proteins do not let go. The strong binding changes the shape of the pore and keeps it permanently open. Because of this, the nerve cells cannot reset; thus, false signals are sent to the brain. This leads to the constant convulsion of the prey that leads to their eventual death. The researchers then go on to state that they hope their findings can shed light onto the workings of other seizure-like disorders (ex: epilepsy).
     I feel like the article is a clear example of how useful genetics can be because the findings of this experiment can help further understand diseases in humans (like epilepsy). Also, it's crazy to me how long it took the researchers to understand how this specific species' venom works. The article states that it acts completely different than venoms from other snakes. It just makes me wonder how this specific snake's venom became so different. Were there mutations? Was it due to environmental factors? Maybe other work can be done to answer these questions.

Original Article
More About Snake Venom

4 comments:

  1. I agree that this article does give a clear example of how useful the study of genetics can be. If it weren't for genetics, finding and preventing some inheritable diseases before they cause serious damage would be left up to the luck of the doctor and patient.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a personal interest in venom studies, moreso with arachnids than snakes but hey, close enough. :) This is great! With as much that I know about neurotoxins, it's about time that we are finally coming to conclusions for what actually causes the neurologic problems!

    To answer your question, I can tell you that different snakes have different types of venoms based on what their prey is. Some are cardiotoxins (either slowing the heart down enough to stop, or speeding the heart up enough to where it explodes and thus stops), some are neurotoxins (it can seizures like this snake, or it can cause paralysis to where the animal is eaten alive since it cannot escape being eaten), and then there are venoms that can cause blindness and disorientation to confuse prey into a vulnerable state that they just get eaten. Some snakes are even prey to other animals or even other snakes, so their venom is based on a defense mechanism. If one bite is enough to ward off or even KILL their predators, then that is all they need! Hope that helps your understanding a little!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a very interesting article about genetics; however, I still do not like snakes and I will make sure to keep my distance!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just saw one of these in my yard as I was picking up after my dog this morning. Having previously had him bitten by a pigmy rattler snake here in central Florida I have always been cautious of his prowling in the yard after lizards, chameleons and salamanders. Now I have an alligator that I have seen at morning's twilight with red eyes glowing in the middle of the storm canal behind my property...

    ReplyDelete