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Brazilian researchers have identified a yellow scorpion venom toxin entering the cells and modified it to fight cancer
The poison of the scorpion is being studied to cure diseases
According to biologist Claudio Maurício Vieira, of the Vital Brazil Institute, an agency linked to the State Secretariat of the Republic of Brazil, the complexity that makes scorpion venom so dangerous for humans is identical to that which makes it useful
On the basis of this principle, research is being developed in Brazil for the treatment of tumor cells, in the treatment of tumor cells, hypertension and parasitic diseases.
"The cells have membranes that act as protective and filtering actions of external substances, but the toxins in the scorpion's venom can interfere with cell function," says the biologist.
"As scorpions have a very long evolutionary process, 450 million years old, their venom has a huge variability of toxins, which have been selected and have become more and more sophisticated. which makes some species so dangerous to humans and, therefore, their venom is an important source for the area of research. "
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A group of scientists from Minas Gerais led by Evanguedes Kalapothakis, Full Professor in the Department of General Biology of UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais)
The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, describes for the first time a toxin present in the poison of the yellow scorpion ( Tityus serrulatus ), considered the most toxic in Latin America, capable of penetrating r in the cell nucleus and lead drugs to fight cancer cells
The toxin, called CPP-Ts, is related to the cardiac effect of the bite of the scorpion. According to research, it increases the contraction of heart muscle cells, one of the leading causes of death of the victims.
"In addition, the CPP-Ts crosses the cell membrane, making this peptide a promising and specific tool for the study on intranuclear administration to cancer cells," says Dr. Hoffman. study.
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After identifying this toxin, researchers have modified its structure to avoid any provocation. cellular contraction, but maintains the ability to communicate with the cells. Research shows that the modified toxin penetrates exclusively into tumor cells, sparing healthy cells.
The goal is to link T-CPP to drugs used to treat cancer. This should reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and make the treatment more effective.
Accidents with scorpions are a public health problem. More than 140,000 people were bitten last year, which is 16,000 more than the year before, according to the Ministry of Health.
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