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Diabetes treatment might have an unlikely origin—platypus venom. Australian scientists discovered a compound in the venom of the platypus that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Their findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
As for the venom, the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) may appear calm and somewhat quirky, but during mating season, things take a more aggressive turn. Male platypuses battle for females by pinning rivals down and kick-stabbing them with venomous spurs on their hind legs. It's a fierce sight, but also an intriguing one for scientists.
Animal venoms are fascinating substances with unique properties, many of which have medicinal uses. A well-known example is exenatide, a drug derived from the venom of the gila monster. Exenatide functions by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring insulin-like compound called Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). The presence of both venom and insulin-producing genes in the gila monster is no accident, as animal venoms, including that of the gila monster, often lower blood sugar in prey to immobilize them.
It’s a solid approach, but with one major flaw: GLP-1 and similar compounds degrade quickly, and for individuals struggling to produce insulin, the drug needs to remain effective for a longer period.
With this challenge in mind, Australian scientists shifted their focus to platypuses. They knew that, like humans, platypuses produce GLP-1 in their intestines, and, like gila monsters, platypuses also have venom. The real puzzle was how these two substances interacted within the platypus’s body.
The team conducted chemical and genetic studies to identify the chemical compounds in the intestines and spurs of platypuses, as well as in the intestines of their relatives, the echidnas.
They discovered something completely novel: a more durable, resilient form of GLP-1 that breaks down at a slower rate compared to the compounds found in gila monster venom. The researchers describe this super-compound as the result of a "tug of war" between the gut’s and venom’s uses of GLP-1.
"This is a remarkable example of how millions of years of evolution can shape molecules to optimize their functionality," co-lead author Frank Gutzner of the University of Adelaide said in a statement.
"These discoveries hold the potential to advance diabetes treatment, one of the most pressing health issues we face. However, the exact process of translating this finding into a viable treatment will require further research going forward,"
