From Alzheimer’s to Zebrafish: Eclectic Science and Regulatory Stories 38
Venom peptides are known to target a wide variety of membrane-bound protein
channels and receptors, hence the wide variety of proposed future drug prospects. Some
venoms can block channels that muscle cells use to receive signals from neurons others
can send the immune system into a tailspin or loosen blood vessel walls and cause shock
and bleeding. Many venomous creatures produce a cocktail of molecules for research pur-
poses and major pharmaceutical companies are pursuing them. Venoms have also proved
to be invaluable in chemistry. Roderick MacKinnon, winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in
Chemistry, used tarantula and scorpion venom to help decipher the structure and function
of potassium ion channels in cells.25 A chemical in the venom of the giant Israeli scorpion
called chlorotoxin could be a weapon in the fight against gliomas, and the venom from the
southern copperhead shows promise in the treatment of metastatic cancers.
Desmoteplase, a compound based on a substance found in the saliva of vampire
bats, has been tested to treat the acute effects of stroke.26 In light of the related research
on pharmazooticals, new developments in genomics and proteomics, and a host of exotic
species, regulatory professionals can look forward to gaining approval for revolutionary
new drugs from sources never before utilized.
References
1. Cervetti N and Weir Mitchell S. “The early years.” APS Bulletin, March/April 2003 13(2):18-24.
2. Dart RC et al. “Efficacy, safety and use of snake antivenoms in the United States.” Ann Emerg Med
2001 37:181-8.
3. Juckett G and Hancox JG. “Venomous snakebites in the United States: management review and update.” Amer
Fam Phys 2002 65(7):1367-74.
4. Ibid.
5. Lewis RJ and Garcia ML. “Therapeutic potential of venom peptides.” Nature Reviews 2003 2:790-802.
6. Ibid.
7. Fry BG et al. “Novel natriuretic peptides from the venom of the inland taipan.” Biochem and Biophysical Res
Comm 2005 327:1011-15.
8. Op cit 5.
9. Feldman S. Poison Arrows. Metro Publishing Ltd, London, 2005, p. 190.
10. Fry BG. “From genome to ‘venome:’ Molecular origin and evolution of the snake venom proteome inferred
from phylogenetic analysis of toxin sequences and related body proteins.” Genome Research 2005 15:403-20.
11. Olivera BM et al. “Diversity of Conus polypeptides.” Science 1990 249(4966):257-63.
12. Ibid.
13. Mebs D, Venomous and Poisonous Animals: A Handbook for Biologists, Toxicologists and Toxinologists, Physicians and
Pharmacists. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2002.
14. Dungan K and Buse JB. “Glucagon-like peptide-1—based therapies for Type 2 diabetes: a focus on exenatide.”
Clinical Diabetes 2005 23(2):56-62.
15. Stix G. “A toxin against pain.” Sci Am April 2005.
16. Staats PS et al. “Intrathecal ziconotide in the treatment of refractory pain in patients with cancer or AIDS.”
JAMA 2004 291(1):63-70.
17. Mathur VS et al. “Neuronal N-type calcium channels: new prospect in pain therapy.” Pharm News 1998 5:25-29.
18. PRIALT (ziconotide intrathecal infusion) Fact Sheet.
19. PRIALT package insert Rev 12/04.
20. Op cit 15.
21. BYETTA Fact Sheet Eli Lilly &Co.
22. BYETTA (exenatide injection) package insert 4/2005.
23. Zimmer C. “Open wide: decoding the secrets of venom.” New York Times, 5 April 2005.
24. Newman C. “Twelve toxic tales.” National Geographic, 2005 207(5):2-31.
25. Ibid.
26. Laidman J. Toledo Blade, 19 December 2005.
This article is based on an article published in US Pharmacist, December 2005.
Published in Regulatory Affairs Focus, May 2006. Copyright © 2006 Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.
Venom peptides are known to target a wide variety of membrane-bound protein
channels and receptors, hence the wide variety of proposed future drug prospects. Some
venoms can block channels that muscle cells use to receive signals from neurons others
can send the immune system into a tailspin or loosen blood vessel walls and cause shock
and bleeding. Many venomous creatures produce a cocktail of molecules for research pur-
poses and major pharmaceutical companies are pursuing them. Venoms have also proved
to be invaluable in chemistry. Roderick MacKinnon, winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in
Chemistry, used tarantula and scorpion venom to help decipher the structure and function
of potassium ion channels in cells.25 A chemical in the venom of the giant Israeli scorpion
called chlorotoxin could be a weapon in the fight against gliomas, and the venom from the
southern copperhead shows promise in the treatment of metastatic cancers.
Desmoteplase, a compound based on a substance found in the saliva of vampire
bats, has been tested to treat the acute effects of stroke.26 In light of the related research
on pharmazooticals, new developments in genomics and proteomics, and a host of exotic
species, regulatory professionals can look forward to gaining approval for revolutionary
new drugs from sources never before utilized.
References
1. Cervetti N and Weir Mitchell S. “The early years.” APS Bulletin, March/April 2003 13(2):18-24.
2. Dart RC et al. “Efficacy, safety and use of snake antivenoms in the United States.” Ann Emerg Med
2001 37:181-8.
3. Juckett G and Hancox JG. “Venomous snakebites in the United States: management review and update.” Amer
Fam Phys 2002 65(7):1367-74.
4. Ibid.
5. Lewis RJ and Garcia ML. “Therapeutic potential of venom peptides.” Nature Reviews 2003 2:790-802.
6. Ibid.
7. Fry BG et al. “Novel natriuretic peptides from the venom of the inland taipan.” Biochem and Biophysical Res
Comm 2005 327:1011-15.
8. Op cit 5.
9. Feldman S. Poison Arrows. Metro Publishing Ltd, London, 2005, p. 190.
10. Fry BG. “From genome to ‘venome:’ Molecular origin and evolution of the snake venom proteome inferred
from phylogenetic analysis of toxin sequences and related body proteins.” Genome Research 2005 15:403-20.
11. Olivera BM et al. “Diversity of Conus polypeptides.” Science 1990 249(4966):257-63.
12. Ibid.
13. Mebs D, Venomous and Poisonous Animals: A Handbook for Biologists, Toxicologists and Toxinologists, Physicians and
Pharmacists. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2002.
14. Dungan K and Buse JB. “Glucagon-like peptide-1—based therapies for Type 2 diabetes: a focus on exenatide.”
Clinical Diabetes 2005 23(2):56-62.
15. Stix G. “A toxin against pain.” Sci Am April 2005.
16. Staats PS et al. “Intrathecal ziconotide in the treatment of refractory pain in patients with cancer or AIDS.”
JAMA 2004 291(1):63-70.
17. Mathur VS et al. “Neuronal N-type calcium channels: new prospect in pain therapy.” Pharm News 1998 5:25-29.
18. PRIALT (ziconotide intrathecal infusion) Fact Sheet.
19. PRIALT package insert Rev 12/04.
20. Op cit 15.
21. BYETTA Fact Sheet Eli Lilly &Co.
22. BYETTA (exenatide injection) package insert 4/2005.
23. Zimmer C. “Open wide: decoding the secrets of venom.” New York Times, 5 April 2005.
24. Newman C. “Twelve toxic tales.” National Geographic, 2005 207(5):2-31.
25. Ibid.
26. Laidman J. Toledo Blade, 19 December 2005.
This article is based on an article published in US Pharmacist, December 2005.
Published in Regulatory Affairs Focus, May 2006. Copyright © 2006 Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.