Lizard venom and diabetes
Gila monster is a type of lizard found mostly in parts of Mexico and U.S. Their venom contains a protein called exendin-4, which may help in treating diabetes in humans. The research is in early stage and the researchers are still trying to figure out how the protein works. These creatures are upto 2 feet long and while their venom is not fatal to humans, it is good enough to kill their prey, which includes small animals like rodents and rabbits. A drug based on exendin-4 is being developed by the pharmaceutical company Amylin.
via ContraCostaTimes
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POSTED IN: Research
1 opinion for Lizard venom and diabetes
brian
Dec 2, 2007 at 10:06 am
natural sources of proteins like this can lead to cleaner therapy with fewer metabolites and unpredictable side effects. this could be the beginning of something huge.
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