Caterpillar Venom May Unlock the Key to Lifesaving Drugs

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Summary
Researchers at the University of Queensland discovered that the venom of the asp caterpillar, which functions similarly to bacterial toxins, could potentially be utilized for targeted drug delivery, due to its ability to puncture cells. This discovery opens potential avenues for innovative cancer treatments.
Key takeaways
- The venom of the asp caterpillar contains toxins similar to those produced by disease-causing bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, a unique characteristic among insect venoms.
- These toxins can puncture cells, potentially enabling the targeted delivery of drugs.
- The discovery opens up possibilities for novel cancer treatments and underscores the importance of studying under-researched caterpillar venoms for future medicine development.
The venom of a notorious caterpillar has a surprising ancestry
Researchers at The University of Queensland have discovered the venom of a notorious caterpillar has a surprising ancestry and could be key to the delivery of lifesaving drugs.
A team led by Dr Andrew Walker and Professor Glenn King from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience found toxins in the venom of asp caterpillars punch holes in cells the same way as toxins produced by disease-causing bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.
“We were surprised to find asp caterpillar venom was completely different to anything we had seen before in insects,” Dr Walker said.
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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 defences 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.”
Reference: Walker AA, Robinson SD, Merritt DJ, et al. Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae). Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2023;120(29):e2305871120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2305871120
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