"Killer of killers". This is the nickname given to the blue coral snake, known for its neurotoxic venom, which has the particularity of paralyzing the nervous system. As majestic as it is dangerous, this snake, which is one of the deadliest in the world, is also known to attack prey that seems more formidable than itself. To understand the specificity of this amazingly colorful reptile, researchers from the University of Queensland, Australia, looked into the question by looking at its venom.
And the results of their study, published in the scientific journal "Toxins", are surprising:the venom of the blue coral snake contains a toxin called calliotoxin, which targets sodium channels, receptors in the brain that cause transmission of pain.
Researchers would therefore like to recover this calliotoxin and purify it, in order to develop a powerful painkiller. The so-called "killer of killers" may therefore eventually become an effective remedy. Like what, you should always be wary of appearances!
