Scientists have discovered a toxin in a venomous sea anemone found off the coast of Australia that could end chronic back pain, reported The Metro. Researchers have found that of the 84 toxins that make up the complex cocktail found in stinging cells of the sea anemone structure, one was completely new.
The study published in the journal Molecular Ecology found an unknown poison in the anemone’s gastrodermis. This particular species of reef-based sea anemone, which can grow from 8 to 10cm, was found to produce different venoms for biological functions. The sea anemone contains toxins located at sites that corresponded to their function of defense, predation and digestion.
Animal venoms have been used to treat humans throughout history, with snake venom administered medicinally as early as the seventh century BC.
“Unlike snakes which deliver their venom via fangs, sea anemone’s venom is a complex cocktail of toxins that is found in stinging cells throughout the sea anemone’s structure,” said Lauren Ashwood, a PhD researcher from the Queensland University of Technology.
Analysis of the sea anemone’s three major functional regions: the tentacles, epidermis and gastrodermis, found the locations of toxin production consistent with their ecological role of catching prey, defense and digestion. “This means when we study the toxins in the context of what they do, we have an idea of how they might be useful for therapeutics,” she added.
Peptide toxins from venomous animals are being developed into therapeutics for conditions, including cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, wound healing, HIV, cancer and chronic pain.
Researchers found 84 potential toxins in sea anemone including one that hadn’t been seen before. A sample of this unknown toxin, named U-Tstx-1, has been sent to a specialized lab in Hungary for analysis. Given that this toxin was found in the gastrodermis of the sea anemone, researchers suspect it could be involved in digestion to break down fat.
