Scientists have detected a link between venoms found in snakes and some mammals, which explains how they share a common origin. The study, led by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University and the Australian National University, was published last week in the journal BMC Biology. The study, authored by three researchers: Agnish Barua, Ivan Koludarov and Alexander S. Mikheev, found that snakes, some lizards and some mammals that have a venomous bite share a common ancestry.
For the recent study, researchers focused on a class of toxins, kallikrein serine proteases, that are found in most snake venoms and all other reptile and mammalian venoms. Analyzing this venom, the researchers traced its origin to a gene found in a common ancestor of both reptiles and mammals. The study also showed that these common lineages diverged 300 million years ago and that the venom found in both reptiles and mammals evolved from the same ancestral salivary protein.
Kallikrein serine protease has been described as a type of protein-degrading enzyme, which plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. Protein is found in small amounts in mammal saliva. Scientists are still unclear about its function, but in venomous snakes and mammals, these proteins have evolved to toxic levels. The study noted that the protein can significantly lower blood pressure when injected in high doses, potentially leading to unconsciousness and even death.
Co-first author and PhD student at OIST Baruah said in a statement: “The oral venom systems found in snakes are particularly complex, and the origin of their venom is still unclear.” Commenting on the recent research, Barua said, “This is really strong evidence for our hypothesis that venom evolved from a common set of genes in an ancestor that had venomous potential. But the most surprising thing was that humans and The non-toxic salivary kallikreins found in mice also evolved from the same ancestral gene.”
An earlier study published in March, also authored by Barua and colleagues, suggested that the mammalian salivary gland and snake venom gland share a similar pattern of activity in a group of regulatory genes, Which indicates that the foundation needs venom to develop is present in both snakes and mammals.
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