Scientists unlock the secret behind one of nature’s most incredible stings, revealing how a deceptively beautiful insect deploys its chemical weapons with devastating precision. This discovery may lead to a breakthrough in pain management treatment.
The scarlet velvet ant despite its name is actually a wasp, and his sting feels like “hot oil spilled out of a deep blast”. However, this intense pain brought a surprising twist – the Venom is not particularly toxic, suggesting that evolution is designed specifically for deterrence rather than killing tools.
In a groundbreaking study published in current biology, researchers at Indiana University Bloomington provide medical research with different mechanisms to determine how this extraordinary venom targets pain receptors in different species. New insights.
“Our results suggest that velvet ants target the pain-sensing system of evolutionary distant animals, including vertebrates such as mammals and birds, as well as other insects, but it does this through different mechanisms,” Lydia Borjon Explained,” explains Lydia Borjon. Tracy Laboratory of IU Jill Institute of Neuroscience.
The research team made a surprising discovery when analyzing the key component of the venom, a peptide called do6a. “DO6A is not only a very strong activator of insect pain neurons, but also the most abundant peptide in venom. This means that defense against other insects is an important factor in the evolution of venom content,” Borjon noted.
Scientists used fruit flies as test subjects and found specific nerve cells that responded to the venom even at extremely diluted concentrations. These pain-sensing neurons, called nociceptors, have significant similarities to pain receptors found in humans and other mammals, although they respond to different components of the venom.
“This study highlights the incredible precision of evolutionary adaptation,” said Linda and Jack Gill, professor of neuroscience, a professor in the college’s department of biology. “Velvet ants have perfected their venom to leverage specific molecular targets in a way that maximizes their survival advantages.”
To demonstrate the effectiveness of venom as a deterrent, researchers tested it to prevent prayer, observing explicit avoidance behaviors that confirm its defensive weapon in the insect world.
“Exploring how velvet ants affect different species provides valuable insights into pain pathways and potentially has potential implications for medical research,” said Luana de Assis Ferreira, a postdoctoral researcher for the study.
The meaning is more than just understanding these fascinating creatures. “Venom is a treasure trove of biologically active compounds, and studying them often leads to breakthroughs in pharmacology and medicine,” added Andrea Hohmann, professor in the college’s Department of Psychology and Brain Science.
The team used advanced imaging techniques and genetic experiments to understand how nerve cells respond to venom, and found that specific ion channels were crucial to their effects. When these channels are removed or discontinued in fruit flies, nerve cells stop responding to venom.
As the research continues, these findings may lead to new ways to develop painkillers. Tracy concluded: “With these findings, we are closer to understanding and even leveraging its power.”
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