Journal article
Animal toxins — Nature’s evolutionary-refined toolkit for basic research and drug discovery
Biochemical Pharmacology, Vol.181, pp.1-14
2020
Abstract
Venomous animals have evolved toxins that interfere with specific components of their victim’s core physiological systems, thereby causing biological dysfunction that aids in prey capture, defense against predators, or other roles such as intraspecific competition. Many animal lineages evolved venom systems independently, highlighting the success of this strategy. Over the course of evolution, toxins with exceptional specificity and high potency for their intended molecular targets have prevailed, making venoms an invaluable and almost inexhaustible source of bioactive molecules, some of which have found use as pharmacological tools, human therapeutics, and bioinsecticides. Current biomedically-focused research on venoms is directed towards their use in delineating the physiological role of toxin molecular targets such as ion channels and receptors, studying or treating human diseases, targeting vectors of human diseases, and treating microbial and parasitic infections. We provide examples of each of these areas of venom research, highlighting the potential that venom molecules hold for basic research and drug development.
Details
- Title
- Animal toxins — Nature’s evolutionary-refined toolkit for basic research and drug discovery
- Authors
- Volker Herzig (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - LegacyBen Cristofori-Armstrong (Author) - University of QueenslandMathilde R Israel (Author) - University of QueenslandSamantha A Nixon (Author) - University of QueenslandIrina Vetter (Author) - University of QueenslandGlenn F King (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Biochemical Pharmacology, Vol.181, pp.1-14
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114096
- ISSN
- 1873-2968
- Organisation Unit
- Centre for Bioinnovation; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99483607802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Pharmacology & Pharmacy
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Source: InCites