A peptide toxin in ant venom mimics vertebrate EGF-like hormones to cause long-lasting hypersensitivity in mammals
- Journal:
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
- Published:
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.2112630119
- Affiliations:
- 8
- Authors:
- 14
Research Highlight
Ant venom finding could lead to long-term-pain treatments
© kaarel olesk/500px Prime/Getty Images
A component in the venom of the Australian giant red bull ant mimics a hormone found in mammals and makes them more sensitive to pain, a finding which could be useful for developing new ways to treat long-term pain in people
Most animal venoms are made up of a cocktail of toxins that induce a variety of reactions in their victims.
Now, a team led by researchers from The University of Queensland in Australia has found that a peptide toxin in the bull ant’s venom closely resembles an epidermal growth factor hormone found in mammals.
Unlike other toxins in the ant’s venom that impart a stinging sensation, the hormone-mimicking toxin does not directly cause pain in mammals. Rather, it enhances their long-term sensitivity to pain.
The researchers speculate the ant evolved the venom to defend against echidnas — the only mammal known to attack nests of bull ants.
References
- PNAS 119, e2112630119 (2022). doi: 10.1073/pnas.2112630119
| Institutions | Authors | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia | 0.79 | |
| Monash University, Australia | 0.14 | |
| Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway | 0.04 | |
| University of Oslo (UiO), Norway | 0.04 |