Trantula venom may offer clues to new pain medication design (IMAGE)

University of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine

Trantula venom may offer clues to new pain medication design

Caption

New studies of the molecular action of tarantula venom on sodium channels may suggest ideas for the structural design of better drugs to treat chronic pain. The venom plunges a biochemical "stinger" into a voltage sensor on the channel that traps it in its resting position, keeping the channel from activating and from producing electrical signals.

Credit

Alice C. Gray

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.