Researchers have discovered a toxin in the snail’s venom called consomatin, which closely mimics the human hormone somatostatin. The discovery could revolutionize the development of drugs that regulate blood sugar and hormone levels.
The study shows that not only does consommant bind to the same proteins as somatostatin, but it does so with greater specificity and stability. Unlike the human hormone, which interacts with multiple proteins, consommant targets only one protein, potentially minimizing side effects and increasing the drug’s effectiveness.
Due to its unique amino acid structure, the long-term presence of consomme in the body provides additional advantages in the creation of long-acting drugs. The researchers also found that cone snail venom contains other toxins with insulin-like properties, suggesting it is a rich source of compounds for developing new treatments for diabetes.
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Source: Ferra
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