Toxin into Brain to Heal it from Cancer
A study has found over a hundred proteins identified as possible anti-cancer agents in Centruroides tecomanus scorpion venom from Colima, south-west state of Mexico. The preliminary investigation was carried out by specialists of the faculty of chemistry at the University of Colima (UCOL), who have identified peptides that destroy cancer cells in vitro.
https://archive.is/DjSet
A study has found over a hundred proteins identified as possible anti-cancer agents in Centruroides tecomanus scorpion venom from Colima, south-west state of Mexico.
The preliminary investigation was carried out by specialists of the faculty of chemistry at the University of Colima (UCOL), who have identified peptides that destroy cancer cells in vitro.
Laura Leticia Valdez Velazquez, head of research, said that when the toxin, derived from scorpion venom, invades channels in the cells with this disease, it produces cellular damage and kills the cells.
"We have identified a highly selective group of peptides, which indicates that they could specifically bind to cancer cells and cause their death," she indicates.
Centruroides tecomanus species is one of the most poisonous scorpions in the country. The UCOL already has the genetic sequences of the protein components of the venom.
The scientific team took advantage of the great number of scorpions found in Colima. They began with the collection and extraction of poison, inoculating and immunizing rabbits.They studied the venom with the support of Lourival Possani, from the Institute of Biotechnology of the National Autonomous University od Mexico (UNAM).
The researcher explains that UCOL undertook the task of characterizing each component from the arachnid toxins, among the most poisonous on the continent. Currently, it has identified a group of 10 peptides in order to evaluate whether they have greater toxic effect against lymphoma cells.
"The venom toxins act on ion channels of the cancer cell damaging them. Our interest is for the cell to be selectively removed. We have found that these peptides have affinity with these cells, and could specifically bind to them and induce cancer death."
In parallel, the research team of the UCOL conducted a study on the effect of scorpion venom in models of Parkinson's disease.
People with Parkinson's are affected because neurons are damaged and dopamine production is inhibited. The team has tested the scorpion venom toxins in animal models, noting that these toxins are attached to receptors on dopaminergic neurons and increase the release of dopamine, with future promising effects for sufferers of this disease.
https://archive.is/nydPN
It’s been pointed out that while the paint helps during surgery, it’s the surgery part that needs to be replaced completely if possible. Surgery is always going to inflict damage even if it does remove the tumor completely and save someone’s life. However, if you’ve got a substance that makes its own way to the brain tumor through the blood stream, maybe it can be adapted in the future to also take some tumor-killing drugs along with it and remove surgery from the equation.
https://archive.is/TzfxA
The advantage of exploring specific toxins is how selective they are when attaching to their targets within the body – minimizing the potential for unwanted side effects.
"Toxins have evolved for millions of years to target a specific receptor," says Manjunatha. Also important is their potency, as just a small amount can have fatal effects.
https://archive.is/hysNx