Sea Snail Venom Could Be the Secret to Less Addictive Painkillers

The geography cone snail’s venom contains chemicals called conotoxins, which are responsible for paralyzing its prey. Though this venom can be harmful under normal circumstances (the geography cone snail is the most toxic Conus species), scientists from the University of Glasgow have found that the conotoxins contain properties with the potential to change medicine. Specifically, modified peptides based on the conotoxins from cone snail venom could become the foundation for drugs that safely yet effectively block pain receptors in humans.

For the project, University of Glasgow’s School of Chemistry and its new Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre will partner with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence researchers from the University of Southampton. Together they’ll investigate how venom-derived conotoxin peptides are structured at the molecular level. With their findings, they plan on synthesizing new peptides with the power to interact with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).

Past research has shown that inhibition of nAChRs can significantly improve the life quality of those experiencing chronic pain, especially chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. While opioids are often turned to for severe pain, these drugs can be harmful long-term. Just a week or two of taking opioids can result in physiological addiction, while the psychological pleasure that results from taking opioids can result in psychological addiction. If simulations prove the manufactured peptides can bind with nAChRs in human muscles, the scientists may have a case for future pharmaceutical applications that help people deal with pain without risking physiological addiction.

“Those new molecules’ ability to interact with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors could lead to new forms of muscle relaxants for anesthesia, or painkillers which are just as effective as opioids but don’t have the same associated potential for addiction,” said Dr. Andrew Jamieson, the lead investigator on the project. “It’s an exciting project and we’re looking forward to getting started.”

While geography cone snails don’t often hurt humans, people have been fatally stung, and there isn’t currently an antidote to the snails’ toxic venom. Dr. Jamieson’s team hopes their research will unearth insights aiding the development of the first-ever treatments for conotoxin poisoning.