One of Australia's smallest snakes could hold the key to controlling the toxicity of snake venom. Recent toxin profiling of the Pygmy Copperhead (Austrelaps labialis) have shown highly accelerated changes in the DNA of the snake's venom. These rapid changes alter the toxins in the venom, and although the snake produces a highly dangerous neurotoxin, capable of paralysis, as well as myotoxins and hemotoxins, which destroy muscle and blood, it is significantly less toxic than snakes of the same family.Following the genetic mapping of the venom, scientists have discovered that the Pygmy Copperhead is the first snake found to possess such high levels of changes to the venom DNA, with significant levels of nucleotide insertions and deletions having never before been witnessed in a genetically profiled snake toxin. These changes alter the structure of the venom that the snake possesses, with many of the toxin proteins switched off as a result, destroying its toxicity in the process.
These world first observations could change the way that the toxinology of snake venom is approached, with significant possibilities for future advancement in the treatment of snake bite victims, not only in regards to the Pygmy Copperhead, but also to more lethal snake venoms.
Andrea Weir
Student No. 41404683
Primary References
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2287176
Secondary References
http://www.kingsnake.com/toxinology/old/snakes/Austrelaps/Austrelaps.html
http://www.snake-away-services.websyte.com.au/site.cfm?/snake-away-services/5/
Tertiary References
http://www.iscid.org/encyclopedia/Neurotoxin
http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Toxinology
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