Latest news with #Bellatoriasfrerei
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
How Australian skinks developed immunity to deadly snake venom: Breakthrough research may transform antivenom science
In a groundbreaking study led by the University of Queensland (UQ), scientists have uncovered how Australian skinks such as the Major Skink ( Bellatorias frerei ) have evolved remarkable molecular defenses that shield them from even the most potent snake venoms—a discovery with sweeping implications for medicine and evolutionary biology . Researchers found 25 independent mutations in the skinks' nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a crucial muscle site that venom neurotoxins typically target to paralyze prey. These mutations block venom from attaching, thus maintaining nerve-muscle communication and survival—transforming what would be a fatal bite for most animals into a survivable encounter for skinks. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program 'Australian skinks have evolved tiny changes in a critical muscle receptor, called the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This receptor is normally the target of neurotoxins which bind to it and block nerve-muscle communication causing rapid paralysis and death. But in a stunning example of a natural counterpunch, we found that on 25 occasions skinks independently developed mutations at that binding site to block venom from attaching,' said Professor Bryan Fry, lead author and UQ zoologist. Some mutations add sugar molecules to the receptor, physically blocking toxins. Others substitute specific amino acids—most notably arginine at position 187—creating a resistant muscle site. These adaptations were validated through experiments simulating venom attacks; in some cases, the modified receptors didn't respond to venom at all. Convergent evolution: Molecular armor across species The study astonishingly revealed that the Major Skink shares the same mutation found in honey badgers, famous for their resistance to cobra venom , and in mongooses that prey on venomous snakes. This recurring molecular defense across distant species shows the immense evolutionary pressure exerted by snake venom and highlights 'convergent evolution'—nature repeatedly finds the same solution to the same lethal problem. Path to new antivenoms The implications of these findings are profound. By understanding exactly how skinks neutralize venom, scientists may develop novel antivenoms and therapies for neurotoxic snakebites in humans. First author Dr. Uthpala Chandrasekara, who led laboratory tests, noted: Live Events 'It's fascinating to think that one tiny change in a protein can mean the difference between life and death when facing a highly venomous predator. The more we learn about how venom resistance works in nature, the more tools we have for the design of novel antivenoms.' This evolutionary battle traces back millions of years to when venomous elapid snakes colonized Australia . Skinks, once defenseless, were driven to evolve resistance—sometimes repeatedly, in separate lineages. Scientists estimate that 27.5% of hundreds of studied skinks show elements of this resistance, contributing to the species' success in predator-rich environments. The research, carried out in collaboration with museums across Australia and published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences , equips scientists with insight into natural 'venom-proofing.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Lizard vs. Snake Venom: Australian lizard develops immunity to deadly snakebites
In a discovery that could influence future antivenom development, scientists have found that the Australian major skink (Bellatorias frerei) has evolved a natural immunity to potent snake neurotoxins. Despite sharing little in common with mammals like honey badgers and mongooses, these reptiles have developed a similar molecular resistance, targeting the same critical receptor that snake venom typically shuts down. The breakthrough offers new insights into how evolution arms certain species against their deadliest predators and opens doors for biotech researchers studying antivenom therapies and neurological protection mechanisms. Snake venom resistance rooted in muscle receptor mutation The major skink's secret lies in a mutation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor—a critical site targeted by snake neurotoxins to paralyze prey. This genetic tweak prevents venom from binding and disrupting nerve-muscle communication. Researchers observed that this modification mirrors similar adaptations in other distant species like mongooses and honey badgers, despite their evolutionary differences. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like With temperatures hitting 95°F, this is the mini air conditioner everyone's buying in the U.S News of the Discovery Undo The phenomenon is being hailed as an example of "convergent evolution"—where different species arrive at the same biological solution to a shared threat. According to zoologist Bryan Fry, one of the study's co-authors, evolution seems to repeatedly 'hit the same molecular bullseye' when it comes to venom resistance. This adaptation has independently emerged in at least 25 different skink lineages. Some variations also involve sugar molecule barriers and altered protein building blocks that further block venom activity. These defenses suggest that over millions of years, natural selection has equipped these reptiles with a robust biochemical shield. Breakthrough insights into future antivenom development By simulating snakebites using synthetic peptides and receptor models, scientists confirmed that the skink's altered receptors didn't react to venom the way normal ones do. The implications are profound—not just for evolutionary biology, but also for medicine. With better understanding of how certain species naturally neutralize toxins, researchers believe they can engineer more effective and universal antivenoms. This could be especially critical in regions like Australia, home to some of the world's most venomous snakes. An ancient arms race with modern-day medical potential The discovery underscores the biological arms race that has been unfolding for tens of millions of years between predators and prey. While venomous snakes evolved deadlier toxins, some prey species countered with molecular adaptations. Scientists now hope that decoding these evolutionary defenses will yield biomedical tools not just for treating snakebites, but possibly for broader neurological applications, including treating paralysis and neurodegenerative diseases.
