Can Spiders Get Cancer?
WouterSpiders are venomous animals and can be a danger to human health. They are a member of the subphylum Chelicerata, which is a family of arthropods that breathe air. In some species, the chelicerae are strong enough to penetrate human skin.
The venom from spiders contains compounds that have neuroprotective and anticancer properties. It also has hemolytic and analgesic effects.
Some of these compounds have a cytotoxic effect on normal cells. That’s because they block reuptake of neurotransmitters, causing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to be activated. Ultimately, this causes the body to fight off infection and cancer.
Scientists are hoping that the compounds found in spider venom could be used as a medical treatment for cancer. According to research from the University of Queensland, a substance in the venom may be capable of killing cancer cells. This team is currently working on identifying the substance and testing it for its ability to kill cancer.
Researchers believe that the peptides in spider venom may be able to target cancerous cells. They may also be used to treat liver disease and obesity.
A recent study by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden showed that p53 protein, which is involved in cellular protection against cancer, could be stabilized by adding a synthetic spider silk protein. By doing so, p53 became more effective. Eventually, the new protein was so stable that it could effectively kill cancer cells.
The study also showed that p53 proteins can protect against DNA damage. These damage-causing mutations are the most common genetic change in cancer.
