Overview

• Scientists identified a toxin in the geography cone snail's venom that acts like somatostatin, a hormone regulating blood sugar.
• The snail-produced toxin, consomatin, targets specific proteins with greater precision than human somatostatin, reducing side effects.
• Consomatin's stability and resistance to breakdown make it a promising candidate for long-lasting diabetes medications.
• The discovery opens the door to potentially finding other glucose-regulating toxins in cone snail venom.
• Researchers highlight the evolutionary precision of venomous animals as a valuable resource for drug development.