A native North America is behind one of the most remarkable medical revolutions in recent years.
It is a small, lucid and scaly creature that wanders through the deserts of North America with slow steps and that indirectly served to promote a pharmacological revolution.
Its scientific name is Heloderma SusticumBut most people know this reptile as a Gyla monster.
And although his poisonous bite can cause serious complications for a human being in November 2024, a man died in the state of Colorado in the United States after being bitten by his domestic monster: this somewhat clumsy animal is behind one of the medical discoveries that promises to save lives in the future.
In their poison, the researchers discovered an enzyme that would have inspired scientists to develop drugs that increase the activity of the GLP-1 receptor, which are now sold in pharmacies with the Ozepic names, Wegovy and Mounjaro and promise to be a revolution in the fight against type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Just like Gila’s monster was the key species for the development of these drugs, the study of the poison of other animals has also produced important progress, such as the development of medicines for the control of blood pressure and anticoagulants.
But, after all, what’s so special in this lizard? And how is it possible to get from one of your toxins, one of the most promising drugs of the last decades?
The monster poison
“Toxins evolve to perform very specific functions, such as defending themselves against predators or disable their prey”, BBC BBC, Spanish news service at the BBC, Professor Kini, who has dedicated his life to different types of toxins to find alternative uses for them.
In the case of Gila Monster-One of two native poisonous lizards in North America, his poison has evolved to immobilize small prey due to his lack of agility.
What scientists discovered is that, in addition to having an effect on the prey, a hormone present in the monster poison seemed to help the metabolism of this lizard slowing down that it is able to survive up to a year with only six meals, according to the University of Queensland, Australia.
By isolating it, the researchers discovered that this hormone, which they called Exendin-4, was very similar to LPG-1, a substance that humans naturally produce to regulate blood sugar levels after meals.
However, Exendin-4 is different from LPG-1 in a fundamental feature: while the human LPP-1 quickly leaves the body through natural excretion mechanisms, the exendine-4 remains longer in the body, which causes the duration of glucose regulation.
This provides the basis for the development of medicines that act as Glp-1 receptor agonists.
From toxic to therapeutic
The first large practical application of Exendina-4 was in the development of a medicine called Byetta (Adasteitis), in particular to treat type 2 diabetes.
This treatment helps to reduce glucose levels and, with slight changes, has launched the foundations for other more resistant and long -lasting compounds such as the traffic light (Ozepic principle and Wegovy Active).
“It is impressive how a change in one or two amino acids can make the molecule last longer in the bloodstream, maintaining or even increasing its therapeutic efficacy,” says Kini to BBC News World.
In the case of Semerglutida, he explained, what has been done was the addition of a chain of fatty acids that connects the serum albumin – the blood protein that helps to transport hormones, vitamins and enzymes through the body – which makes you stay in circulation longer.
Kini states, however, that the traffic light is not the only case in which the toxins were the basis for the development of a medicine.
Imitation of nature
As Kini pointed out, researchers from all over the world have analyzed poisons of different species for decades, revealing compounds that are subsequently transformed into medicines for mass use.
According to him, “already in the 70s, a peptide of the sane of the Brazilian snake was isolated Both pararaca, which gave rise to ACE inhibitors (angiotensin conversion enzyme) “, medicines that are now essential to control blood pressure and heart failure.
Over time, products such as Capopril and Enalapril have been synthesized, which have still entered for millions of patients all over the world.
Examples are many: with marine snails, whose neurotoxins allow to treat chronic pain if modified in the laboratory, to medicinal leeches, whose natural anticoagulant has given rise to drugs that reduce the risk of embolism.
The principle is always the same: “Toxins evolve to cause very accurate effects on the body of their prey or predators. If we can isolate and understand these mechanisms, we can transform the poison into a therapeutic ally”, explains Kini.
Kini himself studies the snake poison and the saliva of mosquitoes aim to develop medicines that prevent heart damage after a heart attack and a control of diuresis problems.
In their experience, many of these toxins have small variations in one or two amino acids that trigger highly specific physiological effects, being a question of isolation and modifying them to create new therapies.
A future with toxins
The experience with the monster demonstrates the potential for combining molecular biology, pharmacology and detailed study of poisons.
For Kini, the fact that a relatively slow and harmless reptile at first sight – a little survives with a few meals and transports a stable poison – having provided the base for revolutionary drugs is a sample of what could be found in other creatures.
“We live in an era where new tools allow us to advance faster than ever. However, the biggest challenge is often the financing: transforming a laboratory discovery into a drug available on the market requires years of clinical studies and large investments,” he warns.
However, he believes that the results are more than justifying the effort, especially considering the profound impact of diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension.
“The next decades can book new surprises,” says Kini.
“We can find even more effective compounds in the poison of some other animal or create synthetic versions that attack diseases through new corners.”
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
