A recent study conducted by Ashlee Rowe, Assistant Professor of Zoology
at Michigan State, investigated the effect of the scorpion toxin on the
Grasshopper Mice. The deadly sting of this scorpion for a mammal of this size
and bigger is well documented; however, the Grasshopper mice appears to be
unaffected by the scorpions sting.
Scientists began conducting controlled trials with the mice and the
scorpion. This video, "Mouse v Scorpion" illustrates a portion of the
experiment. It can be viewed on YouTube
at:
After analysis of this trial,
scientists needed to test the mice to discover what caused the absence of pain
response. They injected their paw with a small dose of venom and nontoxic
saline to see the response. The response was that the mice came up with less
pain from the venom then saline. When they observed this, they examined pain
neurons that have a couple of different sodium channels, called 1.7 and 1.8;
the channels, shows that when toxins bind to 1.7 channels, the channels open,
sodium flows in and the pain neuron fires.
The research discovered that channel 1.8 in the grasshopper mice has an amino
acid to block the pain of scorpion stings that are different from mammals. The scorpion toxin binds to one of these
amino acids to block the activation of channel 1.8 and thus inhibit the pain
response.
This research will be the start of the development of new analgesics for
humans in the future. Hopefully, it will lead to relief for many people.
