Overview

• Bellatorias frerei has independently evolved the same arginine substitution at position 187 in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor that underlies honey badger venom resistance.
• Researchers documented at least 25 separate occurrences of receptor mutations in Australian skinks that prevent snake neurotoxins from binding.
• Molecular analyses reveal that sugar molecules affixed to the receptor physically obstruct venom attachment.
• Functional assays by UQ’s Adaptive Biotoxicology Laboratory showed that some modified receptors do not respond to neurotoxins at all.
• Published on August 4 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the study is fueling interdisciplinary efforts to develop nature-inspired antivenoms for neurotoxic snakebites.