A study of the crystalline 3-D structure of insulin
extracted from the venom of a marine snail rveals a potential way to make
insulin for the treatment of diabetes act more rapidly.
The venom of the marine cone snail contains fast acting
insulin that puts its prey into hypoglycemic shock.
Researcher from Australia and the united state have discovered
that the venom of conus geographus contains a highly effiecient natural protein
thst operates faster than human insuln.
They also found that the protein is able to bind to human
insulin receptor, suggesting it could work as a treatment of diabetes.
Diabetes is where the
body either does not make enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot use
it properly ( type 2 diabetes).
The body needs insulin to allow blood sugar to enter cells
for use as energy. If the body has insufficient insulin, or loses the ability
to use it properly, the sugar builds up the blood.
High blood sugar can leed to blindness, kidney failure,
heart disease, stroke, and amputation of toes, feet, or legs.
Rate of diabetes have being rising faster in middle and low
income countries. The WHO estimated that by 2030, diabetes will be the seventh
leading cause of death worldwide.
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