Surprising ancestry of caterpillar venom could hold key to delivering lifesaving drugs

Researchers from the University of Queensland have found that the venom of a notorious caterpillar has a surprising ancestry and could hold the key to delivering lifesaving drugs.

A team led by Dr Andrew Walker and Professor Glenn King of UQ’s Molecular Bioscience Institute has found toxins in the venom of asp caterpillars that punch holes in cells in much the same way as toxins produced by asp caterpillars. pathogenic bacteria such as E.coli And Salmonella.

“We were surprised to find that the asp caterpillar’s venom was completely different from anything we had seen before in insects,” Dr Walker said.

“When we looked at it closer, we saw proteins very similar to some of the bacterial toxins that make you sick.”

These types of bacterial toxins bind to cell surfaces and assemble into donut-like structures that form holes.

It’s similar to the mechanism of box jellyfish venom – and as we’ve now discovered – caterpillar venom too.

The venom of these caterpillars evolved via the transfer of genes from bacteria more than 400 million years ago.”

Dr. Andrew Walker, Institute of Molecular Biosciences at UQ

The asp caterpillar (opercular megapygelarva of a moth) is native to North America, where it is often found in oak or elm trees.

It may seem harmless, but its long hair-like hairs conceal venomous spines that can cause an excruciating sting comparable to contact with hot coal or blunt force trauma – often sending victims to hospital.

“Many caterpillars have evolved sophisticated defenses against predators, including cyanide droplets and defensive glues that cause intense pain, and we want to understand how they are all related,” Dr Walker said.

“Venoms are rich sources of new molecules that could be developed into drugs of the future, pesticides or used as scientific tools.

“IMB’s investigations of snake and spider venom have already demonstrated their incredible potential, but caterpillar venoms are particularly understudied.

“Cell-perforating toxins have particular potential in drug delivery because of their ability to enter cells.

“There may be a way to engineer the molecule to target beneficial drugs to healthy cells or to selectively kill cancer cells.”

This research was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Researchers from the University of Queensland have found that the venom of a notorious caterpillar has a surprising ancestry and could hold the key to delivering lifesaving drugs.

A team led by Dr Andrew Walker and Professor Glenn King of UQ’s Molecular Bioscience Institute has found toxins in the venom of asp caterpillars that punch holes in cells in much the same way as toxins produced by asp caterpillars. pathogenic bacteria such as E.coli And Salmonella.

“We were surprised to find that the asp caterpillar’s venom was completely different from anything we had seen before in insects,” Dr Walker said.

“When we looked at it closer, we saw proteins very similar to some of the bacterial toxins that make you sick.”

These types of bacterial toxins bind to cell surfaces and assemble into donut-like structures that form holes.

“It’s similar to the mechanism of box jellyfish venom – and as we’ve now discovered – caterpillar venom too,” Dr Walker said.

“The venom of these caterpillars evolved via gene transfer from bacteria over 400 million years ago.”

The asp caterpillar (opercular megapygelarva of a moth) is native to North America, where it is often found in oak or elm trees.

It may seem harmless, but its long hair-like hairs conceal venomous spines that can cause an excruciating sting comparable to contact with hot coal or blunt force trauma – often sending victims to hospital.

“Many caterpillars have evolved sophisticated defenses against predators, including cyanide droplets and defensive glues that cause intense pain, and we want to understand how they are all related,” Dr Walker said.

“Venoms are rich sources of new molecules that could be developed into drugs of the future, pesticides or used as scientific tools.

“IMB’s investigations of snake and spider venom have already demonstrated their incredible potential, but caterpillar venoms are particularly understudied.

“Cell-perforating toxins have particular potential in drug delivery because of their ability to enter cells.

“There may be a way to engineer the molecule to target beneficial drugs to healthy cells or to selectively kill cancer cells.”