昆士兰大学

2023年7月10日,

绒蛾科的毒液卡特彼勒已经发现从细菌毒素基因转移。信贷:昆士兰大学分子生物科学研究所昆士兰大学的研究人员已经发现了一个臭名昭著的卡特彼勒的毒液一个令人惊讶的祖先,可以交付的关键挽救生命的药物。安德鲁·沃克博士领导的研究小组和格伦王教授从UQ的分子生物科学研究所发现毒素的毒液asp毛毛虫在细胞上打孔一样产生的毒素致病细菌如大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌等。该研究发表在《美国国家科学院院刊》上。“我们惊讶地发现asp卡特彼勒毒液是完全不同的昆虫我们以前看到的任何创伤,”沃克博士说。“当我们更仔细地看着它,我们看到蛋白非常相似的一些细菌毒素,让你生病。”This type of bacterial toxins bind themselves to the surface of cells and assemble into donut-like structures that form holes. "It's similar to the mechanism of box jellyfish venom—and as we've now found—caterpillar venom too," Dr. Walker said. "The venom in these caterpillars has evolved via the transfer of genes from bacteria more than 400 million years ago." The asp caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis, larva of a moth) is native to North America, where it is often found in oak or elm trees. It might look innocuous, but its long hair-like bristles conceal venomous spines that can deliver an excruciating sting likened to touching burning coal or blunt force trauma—often sending victims to hospital. "Many caterpillars have developed sophisticated defenses against predators, including cyanide droplets and defensive glues that cause severe pain , and we're interested to understand how they are all related," Dr. Walker said. "Venoms are rich sources of new molecules that could be developed into medicines of the future, pesticides, or used as scientific tools. IMB's investigations into the venom of snakes and spiders have already demonstrated their amazing potential, but caterpillar venoms are particularly understudied. "Toxins that puncture holes in cells have particular potential in drug delivery because of their ability to enter cells. There may be a way to engineer the molecule to target beneficial drugs to healthy cells , or to selectively kill cancer cells ." More information: Walker, Andrew A. et al, Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305871120 Journal information: