Centipedes get genome sequenced, reveal secrets of arthropod evolution

The genome of centipedes have been sequenced for the first time. Arthropods are underrepresented in terms of which organisms get sequenced. Professors at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem postulate that the centipede's genome tells us how arthropods made the sea-to-land transition.

It turns out that insects and centipedes independently evolved mechanisms for life on land. Centipedes do not have the gene for air-sniffing that insects do, so it sought elsewhere in its genetic arenal for a solution--at a locus that insects lack.

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Centipede Toxin Kills Pain

Chinese red-headed centipede

    In a test done by Glenn King of the University of Queensland in St. Lucia, Australia,  purified a molecule of 46 amino acids from the toxin, or venom of the Chinese red-headed centipede.  When it was tested in rat neurons by IV, the peptide inhibited pain-associated sodium ion channel and had little effect on related channels.
    Researchers then compared the molecule injected into mice that were exposed to noxious chemicals or heat and saw that the higher the does the less they felt pain and showed no obvious side effects.  The researchers came to the conclusion that this molecule and maybe others from centipede toxins could provide powerful pain treatments for chronic pain. However it only mentioned the studying being done with Chinese red-headed centipedes, so it leaves me to wonder how other centipede venom would act.  I thought this was a very interesting article, like I stated above though, I wonder if other centipede venom reacts the same way or if different centipede venom can help with things other than pain.

http://doi.org/n35
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