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Platypus venom may help cure Type 2 Diabetes
Posted on: 09/Dec/2016 3:30:15 PM
A new study has found that a hormone produced in the venom of platypus -an egg-laying mammal native to Australia - can pave the way for potential new treatments for Type 2 diabetes in humans. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia.
The study found that platypus produces hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1 - normally secreted in the gut of both humans and animals for stimulating the release of insulin to lower blood glucose, but insufficient to maintain proper blood sugar balance.
Speaking about this, the researchers said, Our research has discovered that platypus have evolved changes in the hormone GLP-1 that make it resistant to the rapid degradation normally seen in humans. The GLP-1 hormone produced in the gut of the platypus, which helps regulate blood glucose, is also produced in their venom to fend off other platypus males during breeding season. This tug of war between the different functions has resulted in dramatic changes in the GLP-1 system.
The function in venom has most likely triggered the evolution of a stable form of GLP-1 in monotremes. Stable GLP-1 molecules are highly desirable as potential Type 2 diabetes treatments. In addition, GLP-1 has also been discovered in the venom of echidnas - another egg-laying mammal. The lack of spur on echidnas remains an evolutionary mystery, but the fact that both platypus and echidnas have evolved the same long-lasting form of the hormone GLP-1 is in itself very exciting. These findings have the potential to improve diabetes treatment, one of our greatest health challenges, although exactly how we can convert this finding into a treatment will need to be the subject of future research.
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